Addicted to Ministry?

“Hi Craig, my name is Karl, and I too am a recovering ministry-a-holic.” In the current issue of K! Magazine, there is an excellent article by my friend, Craig Jutila, former children’s pastor at Saddleback Community Church, where he very honestly and transparently talks about his own personal “crash” from being so addicted to ministry he found himself in an unhealthy place spiritually, emotionally, and relationally with his family. I appreciated his candor. I’ve attempted to be as open here on my blog (and even more so in one on one relationships) about my own “demise” as a children’s pastor nearly two years ago who thought he could do everything and keep his walk with God and family life healthy. Why are the best lessons in life learned so painfully? Craig’s topic was “spiritual renewal” and he admits (as I will) that we can be so good at faking it and knowing all the answers even as we are dying on the inside – but unwilling to admit our need. He quotes an unknown person as saying we don’t change until, “you hurt enough that you have to” or you “learn enough that you want to.” We both admit, it…

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BLOG READERS ADVANCE SCREENING!

As promised yesterday , below is an exclusive SNEEK PEEK video from the next Kidology Online Training Leadership Lab: Partnering with Parents . RIGHT NOW THIS IS ONLY HERE ON MY BLOG – as a parting gift before I go completely cold turkey offline for a week, I wanted to give you a little something to hold you over. (Oh how will you survive without my blog? ) This will not be live on Kidology.org until next week some time! So enjoy this Advance Screening via a TOP SECRET YouTube link before it’s official release next week on Kidology! This is the introductory video that is part of the most JAM-packed Leadership Lab yet! This lab is the culmination of several years of work and includes exclusive content never-before-published that I’ve been being asked to release since 2005, ever since it was hinted at in the Kidology forum. I have finally provided detailed background, description, explanation, samples and more on the VIP Family Ministry philosophy that I pioneered at my previous church. But that’s not all. CHECK OUT ALL THIS LEADERSHIP LAB WILL INCLUDE: 36 Page Leader Lab PDF – This is the core content of the Online Training. 52…

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Recipe for a Great Mother

Mother’s Day 2008 – Happy Mom with her happy boys! We spent the day with Sara’s mom and dad cooped up inside due to rain – but had a very nice time anyway. Whenever I spend time with Sara’s mom it reminds me why my wife is so sweet and gracious. They both love recipes, so here is my recipe for a great mom, based on knowing both of these mothers for years: Recipe for a Great Mother Start with a bucket of love, stir in lots of patience, and a steady stream of forgiveness. Shake well with a heart for service and then simmer over a gentle and quiet spirit and drop in a scoop of encouragement. Then sprinkle with laughter, flavor with stories of God’s goodness, and a dash of good hugs when needed. A touch of craziness and spontaneity helps get along with husbands and finally cover with kindness and joy. Allow to nurture and you will have a wonderful treat every day, especially if you take time to compliment. Here’s our little boy in his Mother’s Day outfit hiding behind a bush! He is so full of life and love and laughter… it’s obvious he spends…

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Views of Home

Just had to take a picture our the family’s three cars yesterday. My view from the convertible leaving for work in the morning. It’s tough to drive away some mornings…

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Lemonade Boy

Sometimes you can’t decide which picture you like the best! I’m about to blog about my trip to Virginia this past weekend, but I wanted to post a picture of my “welcome home” dinner at Chili’s. My little boy is so cute, I couldn’t decide which picture I liked the best. Children have so many expressions it is impossible to capture them all, so here is simple a book mark I made myself with all four. Humor me and tell me how adorable he is! It’s nice to be home! I am so blessed to have in my home the sweetest, nicest, most lovable little by on the earth. I can hear him yelling “Daddy” even before I get to the front door when I come home each day. I want every day to go by as slowly as possible. His hugs and kisses and smiles and teachable spirit is such a joy. Watching his personality and humor develop is incredible. I’ve always heard about “terrible two’s” but at almost 28 months this little boy is nothing but “terrific two!” That doesn’t mean there isn’t training going on, but with loving, gentle, yet firm and consistent correction, he is responding…

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