Church without my Mentor

Willowbrook started a little over eight years ago with a handful of people. One of them being Gordy Sundberg. Gordy and his wife, Betty, joined us after 50 years of ministry experience. What would posses someone, after 50 years of ministry, to join us for the start of a new church plant? Well, according to Gordy - retirement was not Biblical. Gordy's final eight years was spent praying for our staff, assisting in the nursery, and folding tableclothes after each and every service. No matter rain or shine, Gordy and Betty were there - praising God for every opportunity to serve. Gordy went home to be with the Lord this past week and this Sunday (while giving my Life Talk) it seemed very odd for me to realize that my mentor would no longer be by side with encouraging words following the service.

I hope that you have a mentor in your life. Someone who takes you under their wing and breathes hope and nourishment into your journey. I will truly miss Gordy - but I know that I will see him again, in complete wholeness.

Never too Old to Learn New Thangs!

Wow...it has been nearly a whole month since I last blogged. Thanks to a number of close friends who nudged me forward, and one who told me to "snap to it." (Jim?)

Much of my time away has been all about "reframing" (how do you like this new word in my vocabulary?) my life in so many areas. It's like getting a life realignment. And if you notice, realignment has the word "real" built right into it. A pretty big clue. And that's what this is all about. It's about learning new thangs about one's life ~ at an older stage of life (not a grandpa yet). For example, marriage, parenting, shepherding, and relationships all need maintenance. But the biggest mistake we tend to make is to think that each of these are strong enough to maintain their strength on their own. This is a fallacy. So, what I have incorporated into my life are safeguards. I now hold to a weekly date night with my wife, family nights with my girls, and supper around this thing called a kitchen table (didn't even know this table existed). The result of this reframing? Amazing results, which of course, includes a far better quality of life. I have also made so many new friends in this process. My one friend (let's call her my wife), is in love with this new alignment. My other friends (let's call them my daughters), are getting to see their dad on a regular basis. Don't be fooled by the saying, "Quality over quantity." Hey, both are needed. Like wings on an airplane.

So, for the next few weeks I'm going to share (right here on this blog), some real vulnerability issues in my life in hopes that it might encourage other weary pilgrimers that getting a realignment, although challenging - can be all so freeing.

Feedback is always welcomed!