Welcome to Nolan's World

Reflections on Preaching

I love preaching, preachers, and talking about preaching.  One of my "selfish" prayers recently has been for God to open up more doors for me to share the message that He has placed in me.  A friend of mine via twitter pointed me to Reflections on Preaching, an article written by Mark Driscoll, amazing author and Pastor of Mars Hill Church in Seattle.  Below is my favorite excerpt from the article because I LOVE the questions he uses to shape his messages:

"WHAT ARE YOUR PERSONAL STUDY HABITS? WHAT METHODS OR RESEARCH DO YOU USE? WHICH TOOLS DO YOU FIND MOST HELPFUL?

I find myself continually coming back to five questions that shape every one my sermons:

1. What does Scripture say?
   To answer this we need to check translations, do our word studies, and find out exactly what words best convey the meaning of Scripture.
2. What does Scripture mean?
   Here we need to interpret what is said, which requires commentaries, cultural background studies, etc. At this phase John Glynn's Commentary and Reference Survey is a must-have for every preacher and teacher as he rates all of the best commentaries and other reference material on various books of the Bible and theological topics.
3. Why do we resist this truth?
   Here we are assuming that people will not simply embrace God's truth but fight it with their thoughts and/or actions because they are sinners who, like Romans 1:18 says, suppress the truth. So, we attempt to predict their objections and resistance so that we can answer them and remove their resistance to get them to embrace God's truth for their life. This part of the sermon must be confrontational and often ends up in people walking out, standing up to argue, and sending nasty emails, all of which indicates you've hit a nerve like God wants you to. The real fight begins at this point and a preacher needs to come with his hands up looking for an opening much like a boxer.
4. Why does this matter?
   We need to connect all that we have said to a missional purpose for our lives, families, church, and ultimately God's glory. Something may be true but if people do not find it to also be important they tend not to act on it. On this point I like to connect Scripture a lot to the character of God, nature of the gospel, our mission in our city, and the quality of our lives both individually and collectively as a city of God within our city.
5. How is Jesus the hero?
   The Bible is one story in which Jesus is the hero. Therefore, to properly teach/preach the Bible we have to continually lift Him up as the hero and any sermon in which the focus is not on the person and work of Jesus will lack spiritual authority and power because the Holy Spirit will not bless the teaching of any hero other than Jesus." 

Here is the link to check out the entire piece!  

"Don't Give Up on Me"

I want to share with you the most amazing thing that happened while I was attending Catalyst One Day last Monday.  I was slipping out at the end of the second session to beat the lines to the restroom (HINT: leave just BEFORE sessions end at Pastor's Conferences and just before halftime at football games--these are the only two events where I see huge lines for the men's room).  I was in a little bit of a daze thinking about what had just been shared in the session, and in that moment, I heard a phrase from the Lord,

"Don't give up on Me!"

Hearing that almost stopped me in my tracks!  

There are a few times when I have heard the Lord speak to me.  I can't even fully describe what His Voice "sounds like" to me, but I know this was the message He spoke into my heart...

"Don't give up on Me!"

I walked around the church for a few minutes trying to process the message.  Granted, the last couple of years have been difficult on some levels.  I there have been times I have been frustrated, upset, lonely, angry, and maybe even a little depressed (can pastors openly admit when they struggle with depression?!?), but giving up on God, no, not even a consideration.

As I thought a little deeper, I had a little more sense of what God was saying to me.  Through those difficult times, God has been there every step of the way!!!  He's been shaping me into who I need to become in order to further glorify Him.  He has allowed me to go through a few fires that I wouldn't have voluntarily walked through.  In many ways, God has been stripping me of some ministry baggage and faulty misconceptions about what "successful" ministry looks like so that He could fully restore me to be who He desires...a man who longs to have deep character, fully devoted to Jesus Christ.  A man who finds his true identity in Christ, not in doing the work of the church.

There are silent times along our Christian journey.  I think they make the times when God speaks to us that much more special.  "Don't give up on Me." A gentle reminder that God has always been and always will be there for me.  Those words will be a proclamation of hope, endurance and unconditional love for many years to come.

Make no mistake: God NEVER abandons His children.  Even when He chooses to be silent, He's still there--watching, guiding, waiting, and loving.  

Don't give up on Him...He will never give up on you!

My Personal Journey

FRONT-END DISCLAIMER:  If you are not a fan of honesty, don't bother reading this post.  There are portions of this post that are difficult to write, but I want to share these things with you.  My prayer is that this record of my personal journey may encourage you to take a long look inside yourself and give you the courage to start changing what must change in your life in order for you to move forward.  I would appreciate your prayers as I really intend to start living a "life on purpose."

Over the last few weeks, I have developed a greater sense of ...

• Personal Clarity--I am becoming even more aware of who God has made me to be.  I realize my strengths and weaknesses and am actively pursuing opportunities that allow me to serve in areas of my greatest strengths.  I don't fit well within a mold, and quite frankly, I am tired of trying.  God made me the way that I am--That's His gift to me; using the way that I am wired and made to further glorify His Name--That my gift back to God!
• Personal Focus--There are areas of my life that must change.  For the last two years, I have had a "passive" approach to life--waiting for God's will to come to me.  This is not always bad, but I know that this is part of my life that must change.  It's time for me to become more proactive about doing Kingdom work.  Physically, I am planning a complete overhaul; it's time to cut out the junk, count the calories and exercise my gut and butt off (literally).  Emotionally, it's time to let the past be the past, stop using food for comfort, stop feeling sorry for myself, start forgiving my failures and those who have failed me, and get started moving forward.  Spiritually, I am gathering a group of men to coach and mentor me in different aspects of life, pursuit of God, and ministry.  It's also time for me to start leading again (men, if you are looking for some personal discipling, please reach out to me--I'd love to be part of your journey).  
• Personal Passion--Ever seen part of your passion die?  I saw it through the eyes of my wife a few months ago.   Alison mentioned to me that I didn't have the same look in my eyes that I have had most of our life together.  Busted.  I knew exactly what she was talking about.  I am primarily a positive person, but I have been under a cloud of negativity for almost a year in some ways.  God has re-birthed my passion for Him and the ministry that He will provide for me.  The spark is back in my eye.  The Lord is speaking loudly into my life through Scripture these days.  Other amazing things have happened to remind me how active God has been in my life, even though I may not have seen Him moving at the time.  
• Personal Peace--Being out of "professional" ministry has been hard on me.  I deeply loved doing the work of the ministry and getting a paycheck for it.  I have felt like people are looking down on me because I work as a "lowly barista," or that they think I am paying penance for unconfessed sin or a hard heart and as soon as I "get my act together," God will have a "bigger and better" position right around the corner for me.  People may not have been thinking this, but these have been fears of mine.  No, I don't have a church to lead, but I know in my heart that God has called me to pastor.  MORE important than that calling is my pursuit of a significant relationship with Him as my Savior and Lord, my desire to be the best husband I can be to Alison, my heart to be the greatest dad that Maddie could ever have, and my hope to leave an impact at my job and on my friends because I have lived in a way that added value to their lives because of an overflow of Christ in me.  The greatest spiritual lesson I am learning:  When we attempt to quantify who we are by what we do, we have missed the point of living!!!  I am at a place of peace that my life is to be an offering in the Hands of God Almighty, fully surrendered to Him.  God's in control and I want to be completely content with that! 

BACK END DISCLAIMER:  I don't have it all figured out.  I love Jesus, my family and my friends.  I try to work hard at my job, and like most other people, I want to feel like my life counted for something.  Pray for me as I attempt to further live out what I have written today.  Please let me know how I can pray for you and encourage you in your personal journey! 

Our Tenth Anniversary Gift

Alison and I have never really done anything too special for our anniversaries in the past, but our tenth is coming up in August, so I wanted for us to knock this one out of the park...so after a few days of thought, prayer, and number crunching, we have made a decision...

WE'RE GOING TO DISNEY WORLD!!! (I've always wanted to say that!!!)

September 17-23, 2009

And, no, we're not heartless, Maddie is going with us...in fact, we will be there to celebrate her eighth birthday!  How cool is that?!?

BTW, donations to the Bobbitt Anniversary Fund are gladly being accepted! :)

Really Quick Update

Just wanted to let you know I haven't forgotten how to blog but life has been happening really fast around since getting back home from Dallas.  The trip was refreshing, church at The Journey was exciting, and Catalyst One Day was amazing.  Thanks for those of you who prayed.  In so many ways, prayers were and are being answered.  I promise that I will give you a more detailed run-down of things next week, but right now...

...I gotta mow the lawn!

Have a great weekend.  Full week of updates starting on Tuesday!

Peace!

Win a Copy of Hero

Book Summary--You already know it’s not easy being a single man in this culture today. But it is easy to be overwhelmed, to feel helpless and hopeless about living by God’s high standards for singles. It’s easy to cave in to the pressures of this sex-soaked world and accept defeat—blaming the media, the culture, even girlfriends who don’t know how tough it can be.

But many men have read books like Every Young Man’s Battle and Tactics and have committed themselves to stand strong and pure in the power of God, and to go on the offensive against the onslaught of negative stereotypes. Some have suffered. Some have fallen. But many have experienced victory—and you can be among them. What makes those committed men so desirable to women? Be Her Hero is their motto. From best-selling author Fred Stoeker, along with his son Jasen, come the straightforward insight and real-life examples you’re looking for to help you take personal purity to its logical conclusion. Here’s straight truth with irrefutable evidence of what makes an ultimate hero to women who long for men of faith—men who stand by their convictions and make their world a safer and better place.  Are you ready to accept the challenge?

Free Book Giveaway--Leave a comment telling me your favorite superhero.  That's it.  I will randomly select two winners at the end of the week and notify them via email!

My Prayers for This Weekend

• That God would protect the loves of my life, Alison Marie and Madalyn Anne while I am away
• That God would keep me safe and alert as I travel 
• That I would be an encouragement to my friend Steve as we hang out together.  He planted The Journey Church in Frisco, Texas three years ago and is growing the Kingdom by reaching people with the Gospel of Christ.  I look forward to listening and learning from him over our three days together.
• That I would boldly preach of Gospel of Jesus Christ and share only the words that He would have me deliver  
• That Catalyst One Day on Monday will stretch me and challenge me in both new and old ways 
• That I be able to truly commune with God as I drive to and from the Dallas area.  Lots of voices speaking thoughts and opinions into my life these days--I want to clearly hear from the Lord and worship Him through prayer and meditation along the way! 

I'd be honored if you'd pray some of these things on my behalf over the next four days!  

I'm out til Tuesday or Wednesday!  Peace! 

Thoughts on a Quiet Tuesday Morning

• Enjoying a quiet morning at home...nice! 
• Getting really stoked about a trip to Texas on Saturday...will get to hang out with my friend Steve Burrell and preach at his church on Sunday...we will be attending Catalyst One Day on Monday...back home on Tuesday 
• Updating the iPod with some messages for the road trip...Francis Chan, Matt Chandler, Perry Noble, Andy Stanley, and Steven Furtick will all be keeping me company as I travel 
• I am about to have more free time since most of my favorite tv shows will be wrapping up this week or next 
• Went to see Star Trek yesterday...wow, it was a great movie!  Yeah, I would see it again.  Yeah, I guess I am a nerd!
• I can smell the brisket of Texas calling my name right now!
• I really miss football. 
• I am really tired of Brett Favre news already...did they seriously interview a high school football coach in Brett Favre's town about the prospect of Brett unretiring or did I dream it???  Enough already!!!
• 24 has had it's strongest season in a long time...maybe the best since the first...is it possible that Tony will get away to bring terror back next season...I kinda hope so!!! 
• It's down to Danny, Kris, and Adam on Idol tonight...even though Danny and Kris have been favorites of mine since the season began, I keep asking, "I wonder what Adam will do tonight?"  Should be a great finale regardless of who makes the finals! 
• The swimming pool has been open for 10 days, but it hasn't gotten enough sun to warm it up yet...hoping to swim by Memorial Day, but we will have to see that temp go up quite a bit!
• Will be hitting Whataburger in Texarkana on Saturday...a Texas road trip tradition  
• Did I mention that I really miss football? 
• It's almost 11 AM and I am still in pajamas...nice! 
• Been processing my spiritual journey over the last two years...trying to determine the next step in ministry...do I start a church (if so, where and when) or go back to work for an established church...big questions, few answers, much more to process, prayers appreciated!
• My one point message for Sunday--"Refuse to let your past define your present or your future"--1 Corinthians 6:9-11 will be the core text
• A very good friend and co-worker is transitioning her life and ministry to Indianapolis...Melissa, we are so proud you...you will be missed greatly!
• I guess I really ought to get ready for the day...see ya later! 

I REALLY Want to Go to "Story"

I have been following Ben Arment since I started reading blogs.  He is a tremendous innovator and dreamer of what the church can accomplish in reaching the world for Christ.  When I started reading Ben's blog, he was pastoring a DC suburb church he had planted and then moved on to work for Catalyst, where he was in charge of launching Catalyst West Coast last month.

He resigned his job at Catalyst last week...

here is his next project...

"It's a first-of-its-kind experience for communicators of the Gospel - the greatest story ever told. Brace yourself for a theatrical, multi-sensory experience.

It'll be held at the beautiful Paramount Theater in Aurora, IL and will feature Donald Miller, Ed Young, Nancy Beach, Dave Gibbons, Chris Seay, Stacy Spencer, and many more. Even better, there's an optional day of Workshops on Oct 29 with scores of amazing authors, artists, thinkers and savants."

"Stories captivate us. They awaken our hearts and release our imaginations. There’s a reason we pay to see them in theaters and tell them to our children at bedtime. Stories thrill us and chill us; they excite us and unite us. We are changed by their message, and moved by their insights.

And it’s no wonder.

All stories come from the grand meta-narrative of life: the story of creation, fall, redemption and restoration. It’s the story of salvation. Whether you’re a preacher, a teacher, a writer, or an artist – make no mistake – you are a storyteller. And yours is the greatest story ever told."

The Gospel is the story that deserves our best and most excellent creative energy in its telling.  I am grateful that Ben is jumping in with both feet to see this dream become reality.

Visit www.storychicago.com for conference details.

Exactly One Year From Today...

Iron Man 2 will open in theaters world-wide!!!

Better get your popcorn ready!!!