Aiming for 2nd place

March 31, 2011 in Church,Leadership,Theology with 13 Comments and 1
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At a family dinner last week, I overheard one cousin ask another one
this, about her recent dance competition:

Was it one of those competitions where you competed? Like for 1st or
2nd place?

The conversation then proceeded as normal.  She just wondered
whether it was a competition with prizes or one where “everyone wins” or one
where there are rankings when you’re done.  I get that.  But in the
moment, I was struck by two words: 2nd place.

Nobody competes for 2nd place, do they?

If that’s your goal, any good coach would tell you you’ve sold
yourself short.  Even if you’re not that good, you always
start out competing for the grand prize.  No NFL team says, “We hope to
lose the Super Bowl game this year.”  Coaches are honored
and revered because they won the Super Bowl, not
because they lost it.  Pitchers are remembered because they
won the World Series.

Nobody dreams about ‘winning’ second place.

So why in our churches do we think it’s ok to aim for second place
in areas like

• leadership
• church events
• Sunday’s music
• Sunday’s announcements
• the resources we produce
• the small groups we lead
• the trainings we offer
• the meetings we plan
• the blogs we write
• the conversations we have
• our sermon series
• our outreach initiatives
• community impact

Does the Gospel make it ok for us to shoot for
second? Because the message is so powerful, are we then given the
freedom to not give our best effort to all areas of
our life and ministry?  It’s tough to see how God is honored when we put
forth half-hearted efforts.  Ever.

So let me be your coach today.  Don’t compete for 2nd
place!  Give it all you’ve got!

I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly
prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. – Philippians
3:14

via www.benreed.net

This is a great article from Ben Reed Director of community groups at Grace Community Church

Daily Reflection 15 March 2011
John 14:27- "Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Your heart must not be troubled or fearful."
Worries are easy to identify and peace may be a scarce commodity. But no times are too turbulent for God.

Things are going well here in Afghanistan. We are finally starting to get some nice weather. We had rain, hail, sleet, snow for the last several weeks, but last week kicked off the nice weather and I hope it continues.

I have decided to start taking some online classes. My classes start on the 11th of April. I am ready yet nervous at the same time.

Other than that, not much going on.

Be Intentional,
Kris

Thought this little fact was pretty interesting and wanted to share it.

Sept 11th(NY) Jan11th(Haiti) and Mar 11th (Japan)…Luke 21:10-11==Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven." Jesus says, For behold I come quickly, (so…ask yourself are YOU ready?)

Luke 21:13 says "It will lead to an opportunity for you to witness"

So as we sit and look at the chaos that is going on around the world and at home…Ask yourself–AM I READY

Be Intentional
Kris

I have been getting ready for a deployment to Afghanistan. Things have been busy with training and preparing to leave. I am currently at Camp Atterbury, Indiana.

We have about 3 inches of snow on the ground right now with mnre forecasted this week.

God Speed
Kris

Wow…It has been busy around the Logsdon house.

I had a 3-day drill this past weekend.

I am praying about changing jobs. I have been looking and applying for some different jobs. Please continue to pray that God will lead me to the location that He desires.

Mel is enjoying school. She is going 2 days a week.

Rylee is really enjoying being in Preschool. He gets upset on the weekends cause he can't go to school

Thanks
Kris

“Today’s church calls for leaders who drive beyond their headlights and who design churches for people ‘who aren’t here yet,’ rather than defending models designed long ago to reach those who have long since come and gone and who don’t live here anymore.” [Lynn Anderson, They Smell Like Sheep]

Hey all

It has been to long since I last posted. Lots of things going on around the Logsdon house. I started a new job working for an ambulance service in our area. It keeps me busy since I work 24 hours on and 48 hours off

Will get on here and update more later

Remember
Be Intentional

kl

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