This summer, I did the greatest thing that I have ever done in my life as far as the ministry is concerned. I took extended time off. I took the entire month of July off. You read that right, the entire month! I’m telling you guys, that is no doubt the best thing I have ever done for our church and for my family and for my ministry. What I have found out in my life, is that a week or two of vacation does very little for me. It takes me a week or two just to get out of “work mode.” Therefore, I never really have a vacation. What I found out this year is that after the second week off, the vacation started to kick in. Man it felt good! This coming from someone who typically has his entire day and week planned by the minute.

This time off was simply amazing! I would wake up in the morning and have no idea which day of the week it was. I was out hiking and fishing in Colorado and I would have no idea what time it was. Simply amazing. No cell phone, no computer, no deadlines or appointments.    My motto in life is, “the busier I am, the better I am.” I love multi-tasking. I love staying busy, I love being productive. I never thought in a million years that I could actually enjoy being lazy.  But man, I loved every minute of it. What’s even more amazing is that after the 2nd week or so, I quit worrying about the staff and church. My mind was clear and free and truly in idle.

I didn’t realize how crazy things had been lately. Entering a new building project, teaching four Sunday services for the past year and half, hiring and equipping new staff, things had been crazy. I can truly say, that I came back a new man. A new father, a new husband a new pastor. As crazy as this might sound, I have found that taking time to be undisciplined actually helped me to be even more disciplined. Make sense? I came back to the church refreshed, recharged and ready to rock and roll baby! I can’t wait until next July, Colorado here I come!