SilentGap

What will it take? Are we going to continue to fly by the seat of our pants?

Too many times in the church i’ve seen people, pastors, lay personnel, Christians, opt to take the shorter route to success. And and too many times i’ve seen that route (really it’s a mentality), fail. fail. fail.

How desperately we need competent people in the Body of Christ, but more importantly, how desperately we need the leadership to understand it won’t come without sacrifice in training. I’ve heard many say thing’s like, “we just need to believe that God will send us the right person who will just get it” (with IT (not to confuse IT with I.T.) being whatever the need happens to be at the time).

At first, when involved with the ministry, I heard my mentors say these things and I would get a check in my conscience about it, but i’d dismiss it and tell myself “Well, they’re anointed by God, they also must be wise” (Hmmmm – this statement can easily be misinterpreted as something other than being honest, be careful you don’t).

I would think to myself “Well, fine, let’s pray that the good Lord send us those people & not only pray but believe. However, until that time, we have a perfect opportunity to train the people God has give us”.

Well, 15 or so years have passed since I first heard this statement and i’ve seen no one come through the door that meet’s the leaderships expectations. But, I have seen many many people walk through the door of the church, wanting to be plugged in, wanting to be guided, directed, trained and equipped. Yet, the statements from the leadership have continued.

One could say, “Well, we’re still standing by faith”. And I think to myself, “If we wouldn’t of been waisting time complaining that God hasn’t sent us anyone, and instead spent that time training people, where would we be”? Well, we’d at least have a few people equipped and ready.

What conclusions can we draw from this? We, we can certainly jump to conclusions (insert movie line from Office Space – Jump to Conclusions mat), but we need something a little more concrete than conclusions.

#1. Admit we’ve dropped the ball and be honest with ourselves and with others
#2. Don’t dwell on the past but move on towards progress
#3. We could use a plan of action & a belief and hope that we’ll be led by the Lord
#4. We need the leadership to teach, train and quip, not tell, manipulate and then complain when there’s no results
#5. We need not fear failure, but embrace the lessons learned with what doesn’t work

Now, this post purposefully leaves out the practical steps, and instead is meant to bring awareness to step #1.

The issue is not that one person is dropping the ball, but rather that many are choosing to not step up to the plate. We then lie to ourselves about why we’re not stepping up, why we’re not taking responsibilities for our actions (or rather in-actions).

Even if you think I’m off my rocker, let me know. I rather be corrected and move towards the right direction, then just sit, complain and never try anything.

Scriptures: Matthew9:9-12, 35-38 && Matt 10:1 && Matt 13:1-9 && Matt 17:14-20
I’ve got more, but I figured Book of Matthew would be a good start & you can look for the rest yourself.

Tim Schoffelman of SilentGap

It’s difficult at times, to look back and force yourself to relive the memories of old. Regardless of how good or bad the memory is, you end up digging up all the emotions you felt or didn’t realize you were there.

Today I sat at my desk, staring at code, and remember thinking to myself, “Man, I can’t believe I do this for a living. I’m having the time of my life, and I’m getting paid for it”.

Too many times I think Christians buy into the fact that they are destined to live out a particular path, without any say in the matter.

I went to Bible school to enter into the field of Youth Ministry, and I was going to be in the full time filed for the rest of my life. Well, as it turns out that’s not the case, but I look at my life and I can honestly say, my relationship with God is closer today then it has ever been during all those years in youth ministry (this statement is made without taking anything away from all the youth’s lives i have been involved with in the past).

To all you Christians out there that feel hopeless to change your life around or who feel trapped – you’re not alone, and there is a different route to take in order to complete the path God has set before you. He doesn’t want you to be miserable, but he doesn’t say that you’ll live an easy life. Figure out if your life is miserable or if you’re just going through a tough time, then act accordingly. Don’t be afraid of those who oppose you, even if it’s your mentor(s). If you know it’s right in your heart, go for it, you’ll be glad you did.

Scriptures to follow in the comments section.

Tim Schoffelman of SilentGap

Working late – ok, so one night, i was working late (well so i think i was working late, it had been a while since i first took this picture and started this entry, i just never got around to getting this post up) and thought to myself, “hmm – while I’m at Taco Johns i should take this guys picture and post it on SilentGap” (although, i had no idea what i was going to use it for – or even what subject to write on).

You can see him holding my credit card – fortunately enough, i don’t think you can read anything off of it.

But now this picture get’s me thinking, “who else is working late/early”? And, I think a more important question is, “why are you working late/early”?

For a number of years i’ve worked the crap jobs, always telling myself, “Some day, things will be different” and moving towards that goal. But never knowing how it would be different, or where i would end up.

When i would work until 3am / 4am delivering pizza’s and closing down the Domino’s store i worked at, i remember thinking, I can’t wait until this season is done and I’m working a normal job with normal hours. Well, folks, it’s 4am, I’ve been at work since 2:30ish, and “the Blend lady w/ the dog” who happens to be walking her dog at the same time asks’ me “Are you supposed to go in there?” (as i was turning the key to unlock the door, and thinking to myself – “Nope, i just happened to find this key 8 feet down in the storm drain, fished it out with some floss and ducktape that i just happened to be carrying in my pocket, tried unlocking every door downtown with this key, and finally having it work on this one” while carrying some work stuff. And then I turned around and locked the door behind, and she looks at me with a look of disgust – THINK WOMAN) (sorry, a little outburst right there, i’ll try to keep it under control).

So, I’ve accepted the fact that i won’t have normal hours (esp. with a kid on the way), but the main difference is that the hours i’m working now, i choose to, i want to and i enjoy. I consider myself very fortunate to have the opportunity to work my tail end off at Domino’s (and the 10 other jobs not listed), at school, at PCS, at church, at L&S and now, at a job that I absolutely love.

I look back and ask myself, was it worth it? Was it worth going through all the things i have to end up here (will list items noted in future posts), I say – absolutely. I just praise God that I have a wonderful wife who has supported me through all of this (thanks Carissa, you’re my gift – my bride, and I couldn’t of asked for a better wife and best friend).

So, for the Taco Johns dude, keep on pursuing your dreams man, and don’t give up. Eventually, with any bit of luck, prayer, fun and a lot of hard work, you’ll see your dreams come true!

Tim Schoffelman of SilentGap

We all do this on some level or another. It might be in the form of a “Good Idea”, or it may take on a different shape.

Take the new Ford Mustang that just drove by. At one point, not only did the man driving it think to himself, “Hmm, I want this car”, but I’m willing to bet he also envisioned himself interacting with it in some level or another. He pictured himself it in, driving the car around, maybe thinking about the different conversations he’ll have while driving, people that will envy him, or perhaps the girls he’ll attract.

But many times, we’ll never act on the impulses or day dreams running through our own little world. And to be quite honest, it’s probably a good thing. If I were to beat the crap out of every robber that I think is about to walk into the gas station just as I was leaving, or reach the level of success I think I will by completing this one last programming task, would I really be able to handle it the way I think I could, or would the cards play differently than in the day dream?

Bottom line, we all do it, but what good does it do? Now don’t get me wrong, if we ever let our dreams die, then we might as well become one of the other 6 billion souls in this earth that won’t matter to anyone besides maybe a few (if we’re lucky). But at the point I start believing my fantasies can reach a level of reality I think it should, I’m in trouble.

Keep daring to reach for the star’s kids, but don’t forget, you’ve got to be the one to create the rocket-ship to get you there – because no one else will!

(HINT: try re-reading this entry and listening to Coldplay’s, Swallowed by the Sea on their X&Y album at the same time – it will add to the post – can listen to it here through your computer if you’d like)

1 Thessalonians 4:11 – 18

~Tim Schoffelman
http://silentgap.com

Today in church, we had a guest pastor speak. One of the things that really spoke to me was “people do what they’re passionate about”. This got me thinking, what am I passionate about?

Well, I know the best way for me to find this out is by looking at what I spend my free time doing. So, what am I doing? Well, aside from work (which I love – so I may have to come back and consider this in my analysis), and sleep, food and all that stuff, that leaves me with the following:

a. Volunteer work (this has gone down by quite a bit in the last year or so)
b. Movies / Entertainment (This has been very high, for a very long time)
c. Blogging (This has gone up this last year)
d. Family / God (The Lord, wife and future baby boy – needs to go up, but has been at a consistent level)
e. Home Repair / Remodel (This has climb substantially – main b/c we own a house now)
f. Friends / Extended family (This is about the same – maybe has gone down even a little)
g. Web Development (This has been going up)
h. Guitar / Music (This has been the same for a few years & can also fall under volunteer work)

So, even w/o placing a percentage next to each activity, i can begin to tell that some of my priorities have shifted. And I can also tell you that in a few short months, they will shift all over again, w/ the birth of my first child (which is a great thing).

The one thing that is majorly out of wack is the Entertainment / Movies category. I probably watch about 3-4 movies a week, and do a fair amount of research and web browsing. I can safely say that the only thing that has come out of all the movies I’ve watched and research / web browsing I’ve done is spout out movies lines, have a good laugh and create conversation w/ just about anyone (this skill I’ve been able to do well for a long time now).

Out of the list above, I would like it to be in the following order – d, g-h (I’d like to play guitar as much as i do my free time development), f, a-c (and – I’d like to blog as much as i volunteer), e, b.

What are you passionate about?