I am not your normal pastor/preacher! To those of you that know me, that is no grand revelation!  I love God, His Church and People!  I try really hard to not be judgmental.  I know that I am a sinner saved by grace and that I have more than my share of challenges and struggles.  A lot of the new friends that I am making find it hard to believe that I am a pastor/preacher.  They have never known a pastor/preacher like me that is actually human and honest about his struggles, frustrations and yes even sins!

I have not always been this way. There was a time when I gave into the mold that traditional church people will often try to force you into.  My hair was alway perfectly parted to the side, my face was always cleanly shaven and I had a perfect collection of suits and ties to fit every occasion.  (Casual to me was a pair of khaki pants and a button down shirt!)  There is nothing wrong with any of these things and I still from time to time wear the suit, show off the baby face and sport the very conservative side part – this is a part of who I am, but only a very small and limited part.  I tried to look perfect and actually began to believe that since I looked it, then I must be!  (We should know better!)

Read this passage from 1 Corinthians 9:19-22 19.)  Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.  20.) To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law.  21.) To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law.  22.) To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.

I am learning to just be me and I have to tell you – it feels pretty good! Let me encourage you to spend some time with God and discover who He has made you to be and then enjoy being the you that He created you to be!  God loves you and has an amazing plan for your life – don’t let life and other people mess you up, drag you down and keep you from experiencing God’s blessing – just be the best you that He created you to be!