What a great weekend here at SLC.! Our friend Rita Springer ushered us into the presence of God not only at Connection Live on Sunday night, but at the Women’s Retreat as well. It is so refreshing just to be in a place where you sense that God is near and that He loves you and you love Him. I want to stay hungry for that type of experience on a regular basis. Here”s what is in my head on this rainy Monday morning.

1) For the past two Sundays I have been talking about having a Heart of Generosity. Generosity expresses itself in two major ways.  Am I generous with my resources (my stuff), which is giving, and am I generous with my time, talent, and heart (me), which is serving. To have a real heart of generosity you must be generous with both.  If my attitude is right I will find it easy to be generous with everything. So the real issue is my attitude and the best way I have found to have a good attitude is to focus on what I am thankful for. None of us have everything that we want or even seem to need, but when we look a little closer our lives are a tapestry of wonderful things that God has blessed us with. Even in the most trying circumstances God’s goodness is overwhelming. When I focus on that reality it changes my attitude. Living with a proper sense of gratitude makes it much easier to be generous, because, God has everything that I need and He is more than willing to supply. That is an attitude adjuster.

2) Saturday night is Halloween, but for many of us it is the night to Shine Your Light. I love the idea that we can do something so positive on such a negative night. If you want to know more about this just click and it will take you to the web page that explains it all. 5000 wristbands and invitations to SLC will make an impact on our community. Remember to give out great candy as well, we want kids and their families to know that we care about them and that God does too.

3) The Seahawks had a bye this week. The good news, they didn’t lose. The bad news, the didn’t win. The lesson to learn is you’ve got to play the game to have a chance to win. Too many people live life not to lose. They play it so safe that they never accomplish anything. I’d much rather take the risk of failure than to never try. Getting the most out of life requires that you show up. You can’t take a pass.

4) Fall the end of Daylight Saving Time. My favorite Saturday night of the year. One more hour of sleep. I can’t wait!!! The problem is that I begin to dread the spring beginning of Daylight Saving Time when I lose an hour of sleep. Let’s just keep our clocks on Daylight Saving Time all the time and end this insanity!!!

God is better to us than we could ever deserve. That will help keep your life in perspective.

Cal

It’s Monday morning and after having a least 4 cups of coffee I think my brain is finally starting to function. For a pastor Monday’s always start a little slow, after 6 services on Sunday and preaching at least twice it takes a few minutes for the synapses to start firing with a regular rhythm. Now that the coffee has taken effect these are the thoughts rolling around in my head.

1) In my message on Sunday I used an illustration about the baseball statistic called a “quality start”. Just to remind you a quality start occurs when a starting pitcher completes at least 6 innings and gives up 3 runs or less. It is a way to give credit to a pitcher even though he does not complete the game. Quality starts can be a good thing in baseball and in life but I think that what is even more important is a quality finish. In baseball the guy who finishes the game is called the “closer”. When the pressure is the greatest and the game is on the line that’s who they give the ball to. He is the guy they count on to get the other team out and finish the game strong. He “saves” the the game. In life beginnings are important but the finish is what really counts. I want to have quality starts where I begin with passion and resolve, but it doesn’t mean much if I never finish what I begin. God wants us to be closers, to be strong till the end, living up to our commitments, and not to giving up when things become a little difficult, that’s when a save occurs. In the scorcard of life I want to have more “saves” than “quality starts” because life doesn’t end at 6 innings. As the great theologian Yogi Berra once said; “It ain’t over till it’s over.”

2) We have a unique opportunity to do something meaningful on Halloween. Shine Your Light is a way to redeem a night that the enemy has taken as his. When you tell people that you care about them and God loves them it can make a real difference. Who knows what kind of a hurt the costume is hiding? We know that the real answer to the pain of life is to “Encounter the Reality of God”. Take a few moments on the website and see how you can be engaged in this outreach to our community. I believe it can have a dramatic impact on all of us.

3) Another lesson learned from the UW Huskies. This one comes from their agonizing last minute loss to Arizona State on Saturday night. You’ve got to play the whole game. Finish strong or all you’ve done may be lost.

God is faithful keep on trusting.

Cal

As usual I’ve got all kinds of things rolling around in my head so I’ll take a couple of minutes to share them with you.

1) It’s great to be back home after a week in North Dakota. It almost felt like spring when we got off the plane. Our time at Trinity Bible College in Ellendale was extremely rewarding. It is a privilege to share with developing leaders and maybe give them an insight or two that will help them along the way.  I spoke in two chapels and several classes.  The students were very kind and responsive. Spending time with our dear friends Keith and Marlys Elder was a special joy (he serves as the campus pastor and the Dean of Students). President Jack Strom and his team are doing a great job.

2) Dr. Joe Castleberry, the President of Northwest University, ministered to us this past weekend. His insights on the person and work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer were outstanding. There seems to be hunger in many at SLC for God to move in our lives in a deep and penetrating way. That hunger is not just for an emotional experience it is for something that is strong and life changing. I love Dr. Castleberry’s observation that the Holy Spirit fills us  “not to make us better than others but to make us a better version of ourselves”. I need to be a better me and it is comforting to know the Holy Spirit will do that work in my life.

3) Thanks for the cards and other expressions during this Pastor Appreciation month. All of us on staff at SLC feel your ongoing love and support. It is so great to be part of the “House of God” that is SLC.

4) A lesson from the UW/Arizona football game. The Huskies won it in the 4th quarter scoring 15 points in 18 seconds with a touchdown pass and an improbable interception and return for a touchdown. The truth to embrace is this: Never give up, a miracle may be just around the corner.

I want to live my best, believing God for his best.

Cal

This is my first adventure in the land of blog. My understanding this is a medium where I can share what I’m thinking and feeling so others can see if they resonant with it. So I’m going to take what is rolling around in my head and see what you think or feel about it. Hence the title “Out of My Head”

1) I am so grateful to be in ministry at Sound Life Church. This week Tina and I spent time with pastors from around the Northwest Ministry Network. Often the conversation turned to the challenges of dealing with difficult people and paradyms. As I thought about our context here at SLC I was overwhelmed with thankfulness for the privalege of serving a loving, caring, and peaceful congregation. A congregation that loves God, each other, and is excited to move forward into the mission of God. I understand that not every situation is like this one and I empathize, and pray for those who are facing difficulties in their ministries. I do not take for granted how blessed I am.

2) The idea that we are the House of God has really taken root in my spirit. That we can be the place where God dwells and do his purpose in the world at times overwhelms me. In all my years of ministry I don’t think I have ever been more excited about the church than I am today. Like it says in Genesis 28:17 “How awesome is this place!”. I’ve got a few more years to give and I can’t think of a better cause to give those years to.

3) October 6-10 Tina and I will be at Trinity Bible College in Ellendale, ND. I will be preaching in chapel and both of us will be sharing in some classes on practical ministry. We are excited for the opportunity we have to speak into the lives of some great young leaders in training. Pray for us that we will communicate clearly what is on our hearts. It is becoming increasingly clearer to me that one of the things that God has called me to do is do what I can to equip the coming generations to fulfill the mission of God. What a joy to have that opportunity.

4) I am always sad to see summer leave but this fall will be exciting in so many ways. One of the points of excitment is that Tina’s mom will be spending about a month and a half here in Tacoma. That’s a long time for a grandma from Texas but we can’t wait to have here come.

Have a great day.

Cal