The best analogy I can think for what it's like to be a senior pastor is that it's like riding the fastest, scariest, most intense, and fun rollercoaster ride on the planet.  There are constant ups and downs, twists and turns and a little bit of screaming at times.  :-)

My life is intense because the people that God calls me to Shepherd are intense.  Their lives are intense! Just this past week I have spent  prayer time in tears because my heart hurts so much for some people.

And there are other people that I see growing by leaps and bounds in their faith and discovering Christ for the first time and I am praising God and rejoicing with them.  Up and down it goes like a rollercoaster moving very fast.  

I have pastoral relationships right now with at least 125 people, probably more.  That's pretty intense trying to maintain relationships with so many people.  God puts so much love in my heart for every single one of them that sometimes I think my heart will burst.

One day this week, I counted 15 phone calls that I rec'd in about 5 hours time and that didn't include text messages and emails! I'm not complaining, I LOVE this!  I was created for exactly this.  Yes, it gets hard at times but I am so aware that God has wired me and put me together to do exactly this!

This is what I was born to do! I am still totally amazed at how driven I am to do what I do and complete my mission.  Another huge piece of my God-given mission is just beginning to start up and it's so huge, it takes my breath away! 

I am very aware of how totally not in control of it all I am.  I am somehow amazingly blessed to simply be along for the ride.  I can't steer this thing.  I didn't make it.  It is making me.

Praise, honor and glory be to Christ our Lord forever and ever!  Amen!