It was one of those bittersweet moments but our hearts were filled with excitement. Seven years ago today I preached my final message as Senior Pastor at New Life Church on the Rock in Vidor, Tx.
It was bitter because we were leaving a group of people we'd been doing life with for almost ten years. A great church with many good friends.
It was sweet because we were stepping out to live the dream God had put in our hearts. The dream to plant and pastor a church in Colorado.
Very long story short the church plant was an epic failure. Many people try and tell me not to view it as a failure but yes, it was a failure! I'll call it what it was in our hearts.
Without communicating all the gory details just trust me when I say my family and a few friends were devastated. The overwhelming sense of failure led to depression, discouragement and disappointment. How could we ever recover and be productive again in what God had called us to do?
We had some pretty awesome cheerleaders during this season, along with a few critics. But how was I ever going to win this battle in my mind for my mind? Would we ever lead a church again? Could God use us again? Who out there would believe in us again?
WAS DREAMING.......AGAIN EVEN POSSIBLE?
Today, March 28, 2017, my family is once again leading and serving a great church! ReGeneration Church in Wichita Falls, Tx. Hey, we're even dreaming.......again, along with a great congregation.
So how did I move from "Disappointment to Dreaming.......Again"? Just a few big ideas that might help you or someone you know who's struggling with disappointment.
1. God is still God and you have to trust Him. Even if you "feel" like He let you down. One of my favorite scriptures during our difficult season. "O Lord, I give my life to you. I trust in you, my God!.." (Psalms 25:1,2)
2. God still has a plan for your life. BELIEVE IT! "And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns." (Philippians 1:6)
3. If God still has a plan for your life, and He does, it's for your FUTURE! Well it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that one out. Then why do so many people focus on their past instead of looking toward their future? When all you can talk about is your memories then you're probably not dreaming about your future. I didn't say you shouldn't think or talk about your memories, they can be precious. But for some people a "memory" is all they have. Start dreaming about the FUTURE God has for you!
"No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 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 3:13,14)
4. God is working everything, the good, the bad, and the ugly, out for YOUR GOOD. You're not going to understand everything so stop trying and TRUST GOD! He still has a plan for your life so look forward because He's working it all together for His glory and your good!
"And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." (Romans 8:28)
If you'll embrace these four big ideas I promise you'll leave disappointment city and start DREAMING.......AGAIN of all God can and will do in your life.
Encouraging people all over the world,
Ken Woolf
It was bitter because we were leaving a group of people we'd been doing life with for almost ten years. A great church with many good friends.
It was sweet because we were stepping out to live the dream God had put in our hearts. The dream to plant and pastor a church in Colorado.
Very long story short the church plant was an epic failure. Many people try and tell me not to view it as a failure but yes, it was a failure! I'll call it what it was in our hearts.
Without communicating all the gory details just trust me when I say my family and a few friends were devastated. The overwhelming sense of failure led to depression, discouragement and disappointment. How could we ever recover and be productive again in what God had called us to do?
We had some pretty awesome cheerleaders during this season, along with a few critics. But how was I ever going to win this battle in my mind for my mind? Would we ever lead a church again? Could God use us again? Who out there would believe in us again?
WAS DREAMING.......AGAIN EVEN POSSIBLE?
Today, March 28, 2017, my family is once again leading and serving a great church! ReGeneration Church in Wichita Falls, Tx. Hey, we're even dreaming.......again, along with a great congregation.
So how did I move from "Disappointment to Dreaming.......Again"? Just a few big ideas that might help you or someone you know who's struggling with disappointment.
1. God is still God and you have to trust Him. Even if you "feel" like He let you down. One of my favorite scriptures during our difficult season. "O Lord, I give my life to you. I trust in you, my God!.." (Psalms 25:1,2)
2. God still has a plan for your life. BELIEVE IT! "And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns." (Philippians 1:6)
3. If God still has a plan for your life, and He does, it's for your FUTURE! Well it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that one out. Then why do so many people focus on their past instead of looking toward their future? When all you can talk about is your memories then you're probably not dreaming about your future. I didn't say you shouldn't think or talk about your memories, they can be precious. But for some people a "memory" is all they have. Start dreaming about the FUTURE God has for you!
"No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 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 3:13,14)
4. God is working everything, the good, the bad, and the ugly, out for YOUR GOOD. You're not going to understand everything so stop trying and TRUST GOD! He still has a plan for your life so look forward because He's working it all together for His glory and your good!
"And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." (Romans 8:28)
If you'll embrace these four big ideas I promise you'll leave disappointment city and start DREAMING.......AGAIN of all God can and will do in your life.
Encouraging people all over the world,
Ken Woolf
