Mike's Ministry? Pastor Laffey?

That is right boys and girls, I am looking at pursuing a life in ministry. Before the phone calls and emails come drilling in let me lay it out. I'm not quitting my job to join an underground seminary school. I am currently talking to people in my life that I trust about what I believe is a calling from God for my life. (yeah.... I got that one hit on me first thing in the morning on a Wednesday.)

I keep waiting for all the people that knew me 2 years ago when I was a proud atheist / agnostic and to tell me that I'm nuts but NONE of them have. I can't tell if they are being polite or don't want to chance that this really is a calling from God and don't want to answer to Him if they screw it up! ;) I'm looking for any advice or opinions from the people that read this.

And for my few select friends that haven't been to church and loath the idea of religion I already know the stupid answer from you so save it or I will start posting on the net all the embarrassing things I know about you and you know I am a master of Internet traffic if I need to be.

Anyway - I'm really just dropping this out looking for information. Hit me with as much as you would like. Email is 511keyes@gmail.com.

All right boys and girls, I'm tapping out for now. Talk to you soon.

You really need to try this.....

I just spent the night with a great group of people that I genuinely love. So what do you need to try? We sit around in a room and take turns pointing out the positive things we see in each other. It is incredibly uncomfortable at first. We are conditioned as people to accept the negative much easier than the positive. When you have people telling you what strengths they see in you and some go as far as telling you they wish they had in them what they see in you it is an amazing experience.

First, you get this feeling like, "Wow, I would really love to know this guy they are talking about". Then you go through this transformation internally that is hard to describe. You let your guard down. Now I know what your thinking, why would your guard be up if people are professing their favorite things about you? Good question..... I don't have the answer. But something happens inside where you let go of your fear of feeling good about yourself (isn't that sad) and you open up and you almost have a sense of pride come over you because people see things in you that blesses and encourages them.

If you have never experienced this little exercises, I recommend it, highly.

oh, by the way:
quan·ti·fy
1. to determine, indicate, or express the quantity of.

You missed it!

OK, for those of you reading this that don't know, I go to the best church ever and have the best small group ever - I think that is like trying to convince one parent that your kid is the best kid in the world - But I really do so deal with it.

God has placed these people in my life and me in theirs. I'm not sure why I deserve this group but I have them. And after today's sermon I don't need to ask why for very long, only what. What can I take with me that can make me a better person. What will I learn that will impact the people around me and what can I teach that might show someone what I'm talking about. Wow.. that might have been too deep for a 2nd blog post.

I have to add a very special thank you to my wife. I'm not sure why you tolerate me but I'm glad you keep drinking the kool-aid. Love you, no really, I Love You!

Anyway, thank you to my group for being my group and thank you to our God for being our God. I'm not deserving of either.

P.S. To all my Catholics in the room..... Peace be with you!