Category Archives: Reflecting
Remembering D-Day: Personal Pics from the WWII Memorial in D.C.
“You will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world. Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped, and battle-hardened. He will fight savagely….The free men of the world are marching together to victory. I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty, and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full victory. Good luck, and let us all beseech the blessings of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.” ~General Dwight D. Eisenhower giving the D-Day order on June 6, 1944.
The Church Planter’s Kid
Born 8 days after the very first service of our first church plant in South Lousiana, which started in an un-air conditioned fire station.
- Because his dad’s a church planter, until he was four we would drive past a fire station and he would yell “church” and when we drove by a steepled church building he would yell “space ship.”
- Because his dad’s a church planter, the first time we attended a church besides ours on Sunday, he asked where their fire truck was and why their chairs were so long (pews).
- Because his dad’s a church planter, he likes to hang out in coffee shops and has great bedside manner in hospitals.
- Because his dad’s a church planter, he doesn’t have as much as many kids in our area, but never complains.
- Because his dad’s a church planter, he doesn’t know that you shouldn’t wear shorts to church or that you shouldn’t be close friends with people of another race or class.
- Because his dad’s a church planter, he knows who Rick Warren & John Piper are, & asked every Friday morning, “Do we have a Block Party this weekend?”
HE TURNED TEN YESTERDAY and I’m looking forward to seeing what God does in the future with this church planter’s kid. Happy Birthday Jack!!!!!
13 Years!
“Find a good spouse, you find a good life-and even more: the favor of God!” Prov 18:22 (MSG) 
Reflecting this morning on 13 years of marriage to my gift from God, Heather Johnson Corley. Last year I wrote 12 things I’m thankful for after 12 years of marriage. I’ve updated my list & added one.
- “Find a good spouse, you find a good life-and even more: the favor of God!” Proverbs 18:22 (MSG). Thank God for showing His favor by giving me you!
- I started noticing in year one – People like me better when you’re around. Thanks for completing me.
- Finally realized around year three – I am better when you’re around. Thanks for making me better than I am.
- Two are better than one, because they never quit at the same time. Thanks for helping me persevere through tough times.
- It’s OK to not iron the tucked in portion of the shirt. Thanks for helping me to not sweat small stuff.
- A mother’s voice is a powerful weapon (Proverbs 31:26). Thanks for being a great voice of encouragement & empowerment to my boys.
- Unselfishness is a pre-requisite for success in almost everything, especially marriage. Thanks for demonstrating how to put others first so clearly.
- I’ve noticed, families that serve together make a greater impact & have more joy over the long haul. Thanks for serving along side me and opening my eyes to new opportunities everyday.
- Marriage is humiliating, because you can’t hide who you really are. Thanks for being patient and forgiving.
- Beauty is only skin deep, and I’m thankful for a wife who’s smokin hot, inside and out.
- Peach cobbler and red meat are still my favorites. Thanks for always going out of your way to know my favorites.
- “Lane, you know we only hired you, b/c we met your wife.” Thanks for inspiring confidence in me and others. I’m a better man because of you.
- And now we’ve got a little girl to grow up to be just like you!
Visit to the Mound
A favorite picture of my dad and I around 1985 I guess. I was 11 I think. It’s been about ten Father’s Days since he passed away. Remembering.
May Wrap Up
Top Post and Favs for May ’12:
- Sweet Baby Kate – Welcoming a new baby girl to our family was the tops & fav for our family of course. Here’s an announcement Vid.
- “Isn’t that in a bad part of town?” – Why the phrase “the bad part of town” needs to be removed from our vocab.
- Current Church Planting Bibliography – Updated my tops list in Church planting Lit.
- This Momentary Marriage – Moving video by Desiring God about commitment in marriage
- How to Plant a Church Without Losing Your Marriage – Great list from Brian Bloye’s book It’s Personal.
From my Twitter Favs:
- Dave Ramsey @DaveRamsey If you will live like no one else…Later you can live like no one else. Definition of maturity: ability to delay pleasure
- Rick Howerton @rickhowerton There’s no such thing as a lazy leader. #oxyMORON
- Rick Warren @RickWarren The fewer things we want, the wealthier we are.
- CMAResources.org @CMAResources Don’t defend the way you do church with scripture. Define the way you do church with scripture. — @brandonhatmaker
- Ed Stetzer @edstetzer The community surrounding a church should benefit from the its presence. — http://bit.ly/KagY9i
- Floyd McClung @FloydMcClung To activate faith of potential disciples Jesus always asked a step of faith from them. Little obediences sow DNA for big obediences.
- Bryan Loritts @bcloritts Cohabitation (shackin up) is on the rise largely b/c our boys aren’t becoming men. Boys play house, men make homes.
Articles I Tagged:
Heaven’s Heroes
Got the chance to meet some amazing people recently that I just can’t get out of my mind. They spent 30+ years in a foreign country as missionaries. Then, moved home to pastor a church in a forgotten small town. Lost everything during Hurricane Katrina. Stayed. Have led the small church in the forgotten small town to rebuild & continue reaching out to a now broken population. As I talked with them, I notice how freely they laugh, I hear their heart for their community. She talks about the back yard Bible Clubs they have planned for EVERY Tuesday during the summer in an area housing development. He breaks away to talk with a young passerby about faith. I’m trying to listen as she’s telling me about Block Parties planned & the unwed mothers in town that need mentoring. They’re hungry for leaders to share the load with, BUT they’re not waiting. They’re missionaries.
I think these will be heaven’s heroes. We don’t know their names. They’re so common we wouldn’t remember them anyway. They’re in forgotten towns & villages that others deem as too hard or too small. They step out of a rice field to take the gospel to the next village. They walk 15 miles one way to teach a new congregation about life in Christ. They talk openly about faith in Christ & intentionally teach others to live for Him. They see all of life – home, work, play, even retirement – as an opportunity to glorify & witness for God. They see needs & they do all they can to meet them in the name of Christ. They would like to have more resources for the mission, BUT they’re not waiting or complaining. They’re missionaries. They’ll be heaven’s heroes.
In amazement at this couple that could say we’re too old, we’ve already served so much, we don’t have enough people, or a dozen other excuses, I say something to her like, “Thank you for the work y’all are doing. And for not just retiring.”
She says, “We can’t just sit here and do nothing!”
But many times I do. I make excuses. I wait for “the right time.” Or for “God’s call,” as if I haven’t heard it already. I complain about lack of resources. Or I put my time & energy & resources into personal pleasure more than in the mission of God.
O God, forgive me & give me the strength & passion of these Your heroes.
My Boys
a few fav pics from a weekend getaway…
’cause “the glory of children is their fathers” http://bible.us/prov17.6.esv
Good Reads in 2011, part 2
I started a blog in 2006, because I enjoyed writing and creating and as a bit of a personal journal. I also saw it as a great way to put the stuff I couldn’t get out of the trunk in the sermon writing and delivering process. I thought I’d post sermon illustrations and stories I didn’t use, that people responded well to, and study helps that I utilized. It’s still a personal journal of sorts and I’m glad a few people choose to read it. And my mom doesn’t even have a computer, so I know it’s not her over and over again :)). So for what it’s worth…
- Discipleship and Choice – “American Christianity has become about choices … And these choices are for the most part self-focused… The question is, How does this square with the New Testament picture of a disciple or follower of Christ?”
- Warning! Do Not Let This Person Join Your Church! I’ve had a few pastors tell me they put this on the agenda at their monthly business meeting :)).
- Put Your Faith in Action! Why? – 20 Reasons for putting your faith in action.
- 12 Things I’m Thankful for After 12 Years of Marriage
- Can Baptist Dance? and Other Recent Questions
- Distinguishing Marks of a Quarrelsome Person
- How Can My Church Get Involved in Church Planting and Multiplication?
- Are You A Church Curmudgeon?
- Ode to Mommy – My youngest son’s first original song.
- Assessing the Need for New Churches – Why do we need new churches when we have so many already?
Good Reads in 2011
- On the Verge: A Journey Into the Apostolic Future of the Church by Dave Ferguson and Alan Hirsch. Hirsch plays the theorists and Ferguson plays the practicioner. Great look into the changing nature of ministry and disciple-making and how to transition our churches to reach people in today’s shifting cultural sands.
- Barefoot Church: Serving the Least in a Consumer Culture by Brandon Hatmaker. As a leader of a church that’s focusing 90% of our energy outward, this book was a huge encouragement. Great ideas and inspiration for creating a culture of ministry and service.
- Cracking Your Church’s Culture: Seven Keys to Unleashing Vision and Inspiration by Samuel Chand. “Culture – not vision or strategy – is the most powerful factor in any organization.” I’ve learned this the hard way as a leader. Great book on shaping the culture of a church or organization. Here’s my brief review.
- Real-Life Discipleship: Building Churches that Make Disciples by Jim Putman. The real call of Christ is to make disciples and this is one of the most practical tools for how to do it, since Disciples Are Made, Not Born. And get the 12-week Training Manual. If the church is going to be good at something it should be disciple-making. This helps. Here’s an overview.
- Journey’s to Significance: Charting a Leadership Course from the Life of Paul by Neil Cole. An interpretive biography on Paul. Really hoping this is the beginning of a series by Cole.
- Truth that Sticks: How to Communicate Velcro Truth in a Teflon World by Avery Willis and Mark Snowden. Avery Willis’ last book as he passed away earlier this year. About bringing Bible-storying to the North American context. Very compelling book demonstrating the need for the lost art of story telling.
A few in process and that I’m looking forward to reading in 2012:
- Xealots: Defying the Gravity of Normality by Dave Gibbons.
- Thirty Years that Changed the World: The Book of Acts for Today by Michael Green.
- Missional Communities: The Rise of the Post-Congregational Church by Reggie McNeal.
- Outspoken: Conversations on Church Communication by Tim Schraeder.
- Sacrilege: Finding Life in the Unorthodox Ways of Jesus by Hugh Halter.
What else should I add to my list?
Lane Corley 