- A lot can happen in a week.
- It’s amazing to me that Easter was just a week ago.
- Feels like a lot longer.
- Intentionally tried to rest before and after Easter a bit more than in the past and I think that was a good move—I’m not feeling as worn out from all of it.
- I’ve had some fun opportunities this last week to see a few of our folks in their job settings.
- Spent last Wednesday afternoon with some medical residents who are led by a family physician in our church.
- She invited me to come do some leadership training with her lead residents.
- Really fun to share some of the things we talk about all the time as a church staff (trust vs. suspicion, self-awareness, and why people quit following) and see them resonate in a totally different setting.
- Wild to see how smart these folks are.
- And how hard they work.
- Medical residency is no joke when it comes to putting in hours.
- Really cool to see how a faithful believer in our church gets to influence a next generation of physicians.
- Then yesterday I got to participate in a demo at Virtra, which was founded by a Gateway member.
- They create 360º virtual reality simulations for police and military training.
- It’s used for training in appropriate use of force, dealing with complex situations, and a host of other situations that are difficult to train.
- It was fun, intense, and took my appreciation for what police officers face to a whole new level.
- Once again, I was so encouraged by how a faithful believer is using his gifts and strengths to bless people and help the world be a safer and more just place.
- These experiences make me feel so honored to help lead our church.
- People who are out in the marketplace seeking to be faithful look to our church community and leadership to encourage and strengthen them.
- They’re not just playing church, but looking for equipping and nourishment as they seek to be faithful in the places God has put them.
- What a huge privilege to teach, exhort, and lead.
- Speaking of which, it was fun to kick off Titus on Sunday.
- Been a long time since we were in a New Testament letter and it felt kind of different.
- Since the beginning of last year, we’ve mostly done narrative passages (Mark, Judges) and it’s a totally different way to study, prepare, and preach when it’s a Pauline letter.
- Was fun to announce that Molly and I are expecting #4.
- People have been very kind and supportive, which is sweet.
- We had a good laugh the other night watching Jim Gaffigan’s routine about having a lot of kids.
- That guy is funny.
- In other news, we have a new church planting resident, Landon Myers, starting today at Gateway.
- He’s from Prescott and hopes to be planting a new church there sometime in 2017.
- He’ll be coming down to spend a few days a week with us and get some training.
- I’m excited to introduce him soon on a Sunday.
- You’d like him.
- Well, gotta run.
- Have a great day.
- Be the aroma of Jesus somewhere today.
