Kenneth Olson.org

Turkey Day!

 

I guess my bird wasn't as smart? He's currently brining and it's T - 6 hours before we all enjoy.

Eventhough our house will be a hive of much preparation and activity today, I always take time to reflect, appreciate and thank God for His goodness in my life.

Invariably, when I think about what I'm most grateful for, it's not 21st century coconveniences or material ojects, but my relationship with the Lord and His faithfulness to me through the many years. My wife, who is the absolute greatest! Seldom does a day go by when I'm not thankful she's my best friend and partner in life. My children who are the apple of my eye and have made my life unendingly eventful. I adore and love each of them more than words can express.

Happy Thanksgiving!

A Few Things Well

As the pastor of a relatively new church, I'm always listening for God's direction regarding our next ministry step. I'm Constantly considering how we can most effectively focus our efforts to do a few things well.

Like anyone, I love lots of possiblities and options, whether it's at the ice cream shop, or solutions for solving a problem. It's easy to get caught up in information overload, become diluted and end up not doing anything or doing many things marginally well.

This is true for ministry, business or your personal life. What's important is to decide, commit and execute or follow through. To take spirit prompted and peace confirmed steps of faith that lead to a fuller experience of God's plan.

It's ok not to do everything everybody else is doing, however we should dial-in on what God is leading us to do. Few, but specific goals, objectives and dreams that can be done with passion, excellence and staying power, causing you to stand out in the marketplace, as an individual or ministry. Someone once said, If you're not remarkable, you're not memorable. 

So here are a few things we'll be focusing on at Authentic Life church in 2009: 

• Determine future development plans for existing or new facility  
• Develop and involve core leadership team
• Identify opportunities to become a more missional church
• Complete transition to our new brand and identity
• Create ways to communicate and execute our church mission
• Continue to raise our standard of ministry excellence
• Initiate small groups and youth ministry

• Implement church membership plan - help people connect and commit

Weekend Teaching Reflection

I had alot of fun yesterday speaking on the attitude of faith. The teaching of faith and specifically that you can choose an attitude faith verses one of negativity and status quo really changed my life as a young person. 

Things may not always be what we want them to be in our lives, but an attitude of faith fueled by a relationship with God and His Word releases His power and potential to change. Including ourselves and our circumstances.

Years after after enduring the horrific conditions of a Nazi concentration camp in World War II, Victor Frankl wrote a book entitled Search for Meaning. In it, he recounts his experiences and reflects on post holocaust life, He makes this powerful observation, everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of human freedoms - to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances.  

Amazing insight! And it occurred after he was stripped of his family, personal belongings, clothing and even his name. What do I have to be negative, fearful or have a bad attitude about - absolutely nothing.

Lunch Time Prayer

Just came back from a time of prayer. Occasionally I'll skip my lunch and spend the time drawing close and connecting with God. It always amazes me what I take away from a season with Him. Ideas, solutions, encouragement, fresh vision, renewed perspective and the list goes on.

With out a doubt, prayer squarely positions me on my life's purpose and mission and is the source of inspiration fueling everything I do. Because of that, one of my core values originally stated by Saint Augustine is pray as though everything depended on God. Work as though everything depended on you.

Extreme Faith

I love a short statement found in Romans 12:3 it says, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. It reminds me that included in Christ's gift of redemption is a precious measure of God's faith. The same kind and quality of faith that flung the universe into existence, made it possible to walk on water and called Lazarus forth from the tomb.

It breathes courage into me to think not only did God re-create our inner being, but He deposited within us a portion of His very own supernatural faith. A faith that opens the door to unlimited possibility. No wonder He casts such big dreams in our hearts. It requires us to live, move and have our being by faith. 

The history of every great kingdom accomplishment is the story of a man or woman of God who understood the power of faith. Mobilized by this understanding, they listened with eagerness and a sense of destiny to God's Word for their lives.

For some, like Kenneth Hagin it was to teach God's people faith, or Oral Roberts to bring the message of healing to his generation. I think of my mom who's great desire was to raise her children in the ways of God and many others who possessed a divinely-inspired dream to do something far beyond themselves, despite the fact their five physical senses perceived it as impossible.

Like so many before us, we have the daily opportunity to purposely use our faith and bring change to this world. What's required is for us to get real focused, and with never say die, bull dog faith, clamp down on God's Word to our life. Not unlike a dog who's found the bone of his dreams.

Faith is power and determination to stand by what you know to be true. To be so extremely determined, that nothing can pry you from God's directive and dream. You become so sold out and dialed in, that your daily routine is to dispel every contrary thought, ounce of unbelief and influence not contributing to your inspired purpose and call.

I believe God is once again looking for a people who like the Old Testament saints mentioned in Hebrews chapter 11, have an immovable core conviction they are called to do something great for the kingdom. If that's you, by all means please stand up and be counted in heaven - by faith!

A Birthday Break

I've been out of the blogging loop for a while. With time off, have been spending some much needed time with my family. We also just celebrated a couple birthdays. My second son John Wesley turned 3 on Sunday and yes it's true, I turned the BIG 40. Without a doubt the best birthday gift I've ever received was to have one of my children born on my birthday. Very cool!

New Reading List

Recently, I challenged myself to increase my intake of the printed page. As a first step, I put together a list of titles I want to get my hands on and read over the next few months. So here 's my official "on deck" book list.

BTW, I would love to hear comments or feedback from anyone who's read any of these.

• Encore Effect - Mark Sanborn
• The Breakthrough Company: How Everyday Companies Become Extraordinary Performers - Keith McFarland
• Six Disciplines Execution Revolution: Solving The One Business Problem that Makes Solving All Other Problems Easier - Gary Harpst
• Yes!: 50 Scientifically Proven Ways to Be Persuasive - Noah Goldstein
• Unfashionable: Making a Difference in the World by Being Different - Tullian Tchividjian
• Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us - Seth Godin
• Lost World of The Giants - Jonathon Gray
• 64 Secrets Still Ahead of Us - Jonathon Gray
• Seven Practices of Effective Ministry - Any Stanley
• It: How churches and Leaders Can Get It and Keep It - Craig Groeschel
• Making Vision Stick - Any Stanley
• Simple Church: Returning to God's Process for Making Disciples - Thom Rainer
• The Meal That Heals: Enjoying Intimate, Daily Communion with God - Perry Stone
• What Choice Do I Have - Michael Kerrigan

Weekend Reflections

My wife Sara did an awesome job ministering at ALC this weekend. I'm proud of her stepping out and letting God use her to speak an inspired and timely word. 

She reminded us we are called by God to live according to the example of Christ's life. That through His redemptive work he's provided every kind of advantage and empowerment to live as Jesus did. That we're to live according to the standard of Christ!

From a selfish standpoint, it was nice to have a weekend off! An occasional teaching break goes along way for me. It gives me a chance to recharge, reflect and refocus myself and I believe makes me more effective at what I do in every area of life.

The Road Less Traveled

2008 for me has gone by so quickly, I've experienced many firsts, encountered numerous challenges and savored several sweet victories along the way. Today I was thinking about one of those victories or goals reached and it prompted me to think about God's journey for my life.

A long time ago I made a commitment to follow the Lord's plan for my life despite how difficult or unknown it may seem. There's no doubt God's plan is the road less traveled (because it's not easy) that it's uncomfortable to our flesh and many times unknown to our intellect.

I know this however, a tenacious and enduring commitment to obey God's direction for your life will always stretch you, increase you and develop you in ways you can't imagine. It requires you to ignore fears, overlook personal deficiencies and weaknesses and take hold of God like your life really depends upon it - because it does.

George Barna recently said, "Christianity has become a way of thought instead of a way of life." He indicated that we know more and do less all while assuming we're growing spiritually.

I dare you to believe, commit and obey what God's telling you in your heart. Step out over the aching void of uncertainty and discomfort and by faith, take the challenging road of obedience to His plan. I promise you, you will never regret it. You will be amazed at what's on the other side of your obedience!