Rick Nier...Woo!

As I've said before , I'm looking for a new place to do youth ministry. Job searching in itself can be a full time task. Unfortunately, no one is paying me to look for a job. And when you haven't had to find a job in 15 years, the whole experience can feel brand new. And nerve-wracking. And quiet. So very, very quiet. I may spend a few hours here and there sending out my resumes and writing cover letters. But the churches I'm sending my information to have their own timeline. And sometimes that timeline does not involve acknowledging my presence. Which is fine, especially if one of the churches I've applied to is reading this right now. I understand those looking for youth pastors will have their own agenda and their own timeline. But it leaves me sitting here with a deafening quiet around me. I am choosing to walk by faith through these days, picturing God working behind the scenes (always behind the scenes) and holding His voice very still, until He is re...

Warnings were given. Then warnings were ignored. I was even among those who shared the warning. Then I promptly ignored my own warning.  Yes, I know how that sounds. I was in my office, while children from our church's childcare, played happily downstairs. Then a teacher suggested that the weird smell coming from parts of the building might be a gas leak.  A phone call to the gas company and an escorting of the children out of the building, I went back to my office. After all, it was Friday and Sunday was on the way. As I attempted to jump back into my task list, I had the operator's words running through my head.  Wait outside the building for one of our technicians.  I imagined the technician showing up and scolding me for waiting inside the building.  Him: Why are you inside the building? Me: Well, I have this to-do list. Him: You smelled gas? Me: Yes, but it's Easter Sunday this weekend and I'm not ready yet. At that point I ...