Friendships
As an adult, I have lived in Michigan, Illinois, Texas (twice!) and Utah. Each of these places have helped make me into the man that I am today. Now it has nothing to do with the Great Lakes, the "Windy City," the pan handle or the Rocky Mountains. It has to do with the people I met and the relationships that were developed during my time in each of these places I have called home.
My friend Dan calls me "a collector of people." When Dan first met me, he thought I was shallow and flighty - - believe me, I have my moments. But as he got to know me, the more he saw I had a genuine love and concern for the people in my life. When I become friends with someone, I do everything that I can to maintain a friendship through the years and across the miles.
But as I grow older, I am becoming tired of the "one sided relationships." Those that would have died long ago if I had not continued to pursue them. Everyone is busy. We make time for the things and the people that we feel are important, not just with our word, but by our actions. I am ready for relationships in my life where I am important.
I had the privilege of attending The Evangelical Network annual conference in Austin, Texas the first week of July. It was an amazing time of renewal for me, emotionally and spiritually. But during the conference the Lord began to speak to me about my relationship with Him. Now I know I am saved. I know the Lord loves me and overwhelms me with His grace and His faithfulness every single day. In spite of that though, our relationship has been one sided.
So beginning August 15, 2011, through the end of January, 2012, I am going to take some time off from ministry. I want to regain my focus on my most important relationship of all...one that I have been neglecting. I would ask for your prayers during this time that I can avoid distractions and really seek the face of the Lord for His direction for my life and for my ministry. I give you, my friends, permission to hold me accountable in this journey.
I know the Lord has a call on my life. But as my friend Josh Weiberg said at the conference, you don't send someone in to perform surgery that hasn't graduated from medical school. You don't let someone pilot a jet liner that has had 2 flying lessons. Why do we think we can be ministering to others when our relationship with the Lord is not in the right place?
There is no condemnation in this. I am thankful for this opportunity and excited to see what the Lord has in store for me as I pursue Him and try to walk in obedience of what I hear Him speaking to me. Thanks so much for your love and support. I will keep you posted!
Kevin
My friend Dan calls me "a collector of people." When Dan first met me, he thought I was shallow and flighty - - believe me, I have my moments. But as he got to know me, the more he saw I had a genuine love and concern for the people in my life. When I become friends with someone, I do everything that I can to maintain a friendship through the years and across the miles.
But as I grow older, I am becoming tired of the "one sided relationships." Those that would have died long ago if I had not continued to pursue them. Everyone is busy. We make time for the things and the people that we feel are important, not just with our word, but by our actions. I am ready for relationships in my life where I am important.
I had the privilege of attending The Evangelical Network annual conference in Austin, Texas the first week of July. It was an amazing time of renewal for me, emotionally and spiritually. But during the conference the Lord began to speak to me about my relationship with Him. Now I know I am saved. I know the Lord loves me and overwhelms me with His grace and His faithfulness every single day. In spite of that though, our relationship has been one sided.
So beginning August 15, 2011, through the end of January, 2012, I am going to take some time off from ministry. I want to regain my focus on my most important relationship of all...one that I have been neglecting. I would ask for your prayers during this time that I can avoid distractions and really seek the face of the Lord for His direction for my life and for my ministry. I give you, my friends, permission to hold me accountable in this journey.
I know the Lord has a call on my life. But as my friend Josh Weiberg said at the conference, you don't send someone in to perform surgery that hasn't graduated from medical school. You don't let someone pilot a jet liner that has had 2 flying lessons. Why do we think we can be ministering to others when our relationship with the Lord is not in the right place?
There is no condemnation in this. I am thankful for this opportunity and excited to see what the Lord has in store for me as I pursue Him and try to walk in obedience of what I hear Him speaking to me. Thanks so much for your love and support. I will keep you posted!
Kevin
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