Monthly Archives: September 2011

A Plan For When The Plans Change (Part 2)

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Based on my message, “Crash: When the Plans Change,” (Acts 27:1-28:10) here’s part two of the playbook for navigating into what’s next:

(Read Part 1 Here.)

6. Develop strong relationships. [Acts 27:1, 3, 6; 42-43] Invest in family, neighbors, friends and community. There’s never a bad time to do this.

7. Share the truth. (Acts 27:30-32)  Share Christ with neighbors and others in your community – there is no “break” from this. The mission is for all Christ followers, not just for church planters!

8. Stay connected to God. (Acts 27:35) Spend daily time in prayer and Scripture, keeping the ‘God lines’ clear.  This is often the first thing to drop to the bottom of the priority list when things go awry. Flip that order around.

9.  Meet your needs. (Acts 27:33-36) Get lots of mental and physical rest, eat right, build financial resources, pay bills, and spend focused time with your spouse and kids. Take time for evaluating and planning.  This is not unspiritual, but sometimes, it is actually the most spiritual thing you can do in the moment. (See 1 Kings 19:1-8)

10. Meet the needs of others. (Acts 28:7-10) Keep volunteering, looking to meet needs in your neighborhood, community and circle of friends. For me,  doing this confirms in me the authenticity of the serving, because I truly have no strings attached…

When in doubt, love God and love people. Work on becoming and learning. Plans and “next steps” will generally follow and flow through that.

A Plan For When The Plans Change

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Taking a cue from my message, “Crash: When the Plans Change,” (Acts 27:1-28:10) here’s a playbook for navigating into what’s next:

1.  Remember that plans change, but vision remains the same. (Acts 27:9-11)(Thanks, Andy Stanley and Visioneering)

2. Understand that sometimes the plan is out of our control. (Acts 27:11) Unanticipated events, choices of others, and circumstances sometimes take the wheel for a period of time. When this happens, it is now “big picture” time.  Step back, take a deep breath, and try to get the perspective of a bigger view.

3. Acknowledge that the vision for your life is sometimes realized in a different way than you originally thought. There’s nothing that takes God by surprise or that He hasn’t planned for – even our mistakes.

4. Realize that hope and stability can be found in instability. (Acts 27:21-25) Uncertainty provides a powerful and unique opportunity for courage and faith to be strengthened.

5. Strive to obey God more than your plans. (Acts 27:30-28:10) Take you eyes off of your goals for a minute and place them more intensely onto God and His guiding.  “Seek the Kingdom of God* above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. ”So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” (Matthew 6:33 NLT)

Read Part 2 here.

Side Note: * See & hear my friend and pastor, Brandon Thomas delve into “Plan B:  When Life Doesn’t Go According To Plan” (Inspired by Pete Wilson‘s book of the same name).


In The Meantime

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During this ministry interlude,  I’m doing odd jobs and whatever I can scrounge up while seeking where God wants us to be next.  (See my résumé here.)

Sometimes living in the “meantime” can be a “mean time” financially.  Here are a few things I’ve got cooking that you can pray for us about or participate with us in during the “mean” meantime. :)

1. One Mad Christmas – Leona and I created this dramatic musical production a number of years ago about people who thought that more money would solve all of their problems. There’s certainly a touch of irony in the fact that as churches license the musical, it helps provide income for us during this time. Great reminders in this musical, though, of what’s really most important in this life.

If you know of a church that is searching for a dramatic musical for this year’s Christmas production or dinner theater, please send them our way: One Mad Christmas.  You can download the preview files here: Preview Files (includes the whole script:  One Mad Christmas Running Script )

2. Ministry – We are actively involved in Keystone Church in Keller, Texas as members, but I am available to serve in a number of ways while waiting for our next ministry assignment.  Obviously, this is the area of my calling and where I believe I can do the most good.

* Preaching – It would be an honor to speak at your church if you have a need.  My background and theology are Southern Baptist, but I’m open to speaking wherever I’m invited.

Examples:

“Clash: Hope For Hard Hearts“ || “Fleeting Glances: Affair Proofing Your Marriage“

“Crash: When The Plans Change“ || “Relationship Connection Breakers“

* Short Term Staff Member – Sometimes churches can’t afford to bring on an additional staff member for a whole year, but might be able to bring someone in for a month or two to start new ministries, strengthen existing ones or fill in as a short term interim.  If that’s you, I’d love to talk to you about how we can make that happen!

* Basic Design & Media – I can provide simple media creation (designs/videos) for churches w/ few financial resources.  My resources are limited also, so I can relate.

Examples:

“The Crossing – TV spot“ (Video)

Designs & Series Branding:

* Miscellaneous – I can assist with outreach strategies, lead worship, lead seminars, retreats, and more

3. Any Job that’s available. – The truth is, I’m willing to work in any capacity to provide for my family during this time.  Hourly wages, one time projects, you name it – I’m open to it.

Thanks for praying for us during the “mean time” of the meantime.  If you know of an opportunity that could be helpful for us or if you could pass this along, my family and I would appreciate it very much.

Contact me at JohnnyLeckie@gmail.com

Now.  How can I pray for you?

By the way:  God is good!  In good times and in bad. Blessed be the Name of the Lord! :)