I’m wired to think big vision and strategic steps. I often think forward, contemplating what might be the next mountain to climb or battle to fight. In the process of thinking about the big picture, I can often miss the seemingly small yet eternally significant victories along the way- especially when I’m facing external challenges, struggling with internal discouragement, or things are moving slow. Continue reading
lessons I’m relearning: marathon mentality
I’m often asked by other pastors and church-planters to describe ministry in Vermont. It often reminds me of a century ride I did on my bike a couple of summers ago. Me and a buddy mapped our route so the pinnacle of Smugglers Notch would be the exact halfway point- which means at 42 miles in, you
begin an eight mile, 1800 ft climb. About three miles into the climb you begin feeling the stress in your thighs and calves, and your simple focus becomes spin that flywheel, spin that flywheel one pedal push at a time. You quickly realize you have no idea how far you’ve actually traveled, because all of your normal training rides felt much easier than tackling this mountainous behemoth. Your hope is to eventually reach the summit… you will know it when you get there and not a minute before. Continue reading
lessons I’m relearning: guard your marriage
Years ago as I my wedding to Christin was approaching a good friend and fellow staff member humbly but firmly challenged me: be very careful not to sacrifice your family on the altar of ministry. Around the same time another close friend and pastor shared what may sound like very simple advice: keep dating your wife. Many times over these past fourteen years of being a husband and pastor, God brought these conversations to the forefront of my mind… Primarily because as a laser beam focused, 100 mph guy, I need the divine reminders.A few specifics I am relearning:
- My wife is always my most important team member. Continue reading
Hiatus over
This past November I walked through the back door from a Sunday afternoon hike with the kids and shared a simple observation with Christin: “I am discouraged.” I didn’t mean the discouragement that comes from a 
tough week, a tense conversation, or even riding the ministry roller coaster of starting a church. I meant real discouragement: the type that lingers in your soul for months and makes you feel like you don’t have anything left in the your spiritual, emotional, or mental tanks. Continue reading
Prayers for my mom
Friends & Spiritual Family,
I want to solicit your prayers for my mom. On Friday afternoon she was taken to the hospital via ambulance due to a high fever (105+) and lack of coherence. She was showing some improvement over the weekend and I spoke with her briefly on Sunday.
This morning my brother Brian called to tell me her condition had worsened. Continue reading
Busy summer… expectant fall
What a busy summer! New baby, active kids, growing church, renovating a facility, hosting teen basketball tournament & kids camp, and now school has started. You can download our entire newsletter here: fall 2014 update.
Seven lessons from the San Antonio Spurs
Reposted from northcountrycpn.com.
I may live in the frozen tundra of Vermont where hockey rules and locals hope to see their children one day compete for the Stanley Cup, but I still enjoy watching the NBA playoffs. This year I especially enjoyed watching the San Antonio Spurs systematically dismantle the Miami Heat. After watching the final game, I jotted down seven lessons learned from watching the Spurs and especially Coach Greg Popovich (which just might also apply to church-planting). Continue reading
Prepping for marriage: 3 observations
Often when we look at the world around us, we can see much that is going wrong. Sometimes God gives us glimpses of what He’s doing, of what is right, and it serves as a breath of fresh air. Watching two close of my friends joined together in marriage this past Sunday was just that. Continue reading
Daddy Day
For all you dads out there, here’s a couple of posts to get you in the mood for Father’s Day.
The Evolution of Dad Dancing w/Jimmy Fallon & Chris Christie
An excellent post from my good friend Ed Choy on “How to be an Awesome Dad.”
A NEW SEASON
Spring bring a sense of newness to Burlington as the chill of winter fades and the warmth of summer takes over. The sounds of birds chirping fills the air. City parks become repopulated, Lake Champlain beaches reopens, and Church Street comes alive. Neighbors reintroduce themselves. For me, my family, and our church, this sense of newness is especially true.
A NEW SON. By far the biggest news of our lives this spring was the birth of our son, Skye Maloy Pounds, on May 25. Continue reading
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