05.11.08
Posted in Personal, Faith and Practice at 9:39 pm by Jeff
Even though I spent two weeks in San Diego, I’ve still got 5 weeks left before this quarter is finished. And then I’ve still got another two years before I graduate in May 2010. When I am done, I will have earned a Master of Arts in Transformational Leadership (MATL). This degree is a sort of hybrid between an M.A. in Theological/Biblical Studies and an M.A. in Organizational Leadership. If you know me well, you know how much I love interdisciplinary pursuits, so this program fits me well.
I’ve been asked a couple of times recently what the purpose is of such a degree. Actually, the possibilities are numerous: entrepreurship, non-profit org. management, business leadership, church planting, etc. Another question I’ve been asked is how I plan to use this degree. In the short term, it is giving me the opportunity to learn more about leading in my current business and ministry environments. In the long term, well, I’ll save that for a future post. Although eventually I would definitely like to teach at the university/graduate level and this will require a Doctoral degree. Oh, man, I guess I’m going to end up as Dr. Doolittle whether I like it or not.
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05.09.08
Posted in Personal at 8:48 pm by Jeff
The whirlwind is finally complete.
On Thursday, April 24th I drove from Kingsburg to San Diego. Friday morning I headed to Julian for a weekend class retreat. Then I spent Monday through Friday in class at Bethel. On May 2nd, I flew home after 9 days away from home to spend 48 hours with Amy and the kids. Then on Sunday, May 4th, I flew back to San Diego for yet another week of class. I drove home this afternoon and I am so glad to finally be back.
I had a good time with my folks and catching up with some old friends, but being gone for that long was tough. Home is good. I like home. I may not leave again (as if).
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04.13.08
Posted in Personal at 10:08 pm by Jeff
And I was doing so well blogging regularly…
Last week was hectic. We had kids throwing up, Awana Awards night, and I returned to the world of mid-week band practice (more on that later).
Then, on Saturday, we spent the morning at church in workshops and seminars. We stayed up in Fresno for a barbecue and carnival at church, followed by a family concert with Rob Biagi. Of course, Jack started throwing up again before the concert, so sadly he didn’t get to go. But Kaitlyn and Kyle had a blast dancing and singing and we even got to go up on stage! Amy is so disappointed that she didn’t get to see me dance.
On top of all this, our friends had some extra sod (about 300 sq. ft.) and said we could have it. We had some dirt patches that needed some landscaping, so we spent our Sunday morning digging trenches, installing sprinklers, leveling ground, and laying sod.
On top of THAT, I had the opportunity to lead worship at the Fig Garden Campus of the Well Community Church. I don’t think I realized how much I missed leading worship until I had the chance to do it again (my last time had been September 9th).
And so now, here I sit procrastinating on my school work, preparing for another jam-packed week.
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02.06.08
Posted in Personal at 11:00 pm by Jeff
In 4 months I’ll be 1/3 of the way to 100 years.
Crazy.
(yes, this is a cryptic way of saying that I turned 33 today)
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02.04.08
Posted in Personal at 1:24 pm by Jeff
My wife blogged a great summary of our weekend trip to the snow.
“Yes, my 32 year old husband went sledding in the dark and now I can’t find him.”
It might snow…
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01.31.08
Posted in Personal at 7:09 am by Jeff
As usual, growing up way too quickly.
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11.06.07
Posted in Personal at 3:44 pm by Jeff
So, back on 11/11/2006 as an early Christmas present from Amy, I got this art on my right arm:
I’m thinking about this one for this year’s “early Christmas” present.
Update: I got it November 10th. It’s pretty sweet.
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09.21.07
Posted in Personal at 8:52 am by Jeff
With the time requirements of family, job, school and life in general increasing a-pace, blogging has become a low priority. I am no longer the Director of Worship Ministries at my church, so Amy and I were able to get away for the weekend to relax sans-kids for a couple of days. I’m looking forward to simply going to church this Sunday.
I’ve had a nice reprieve from school as well since the Fall quarter doesn’t start until October 1. Still, with Kaitlyn in ballet and Kyle in soccer, there’s plenty to do. Never a dull moment!
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08.13.07
Posted in Personal, Faith and Practice at 12:00 am by Jeff
Dear Elders, Staff and Friends,
In January of 2003, I began serving as our church’s worship leader. I am so thankful for the opportunities that I have had to grow in character, leadership and spiritual formation through the past four and a half years. It has been my great pleasure and joy to serve this church and to have the opportunity to bring honor, glory and praise to our worthy King and Savior through this ministry.
Recently, I have sensed that God is calling me to serve and grow in other capacities outside of this ministry. After much prayer and seeking of Godly counsel, my family and I have agreed that God is calling me to step down as Director of Worship Ministries.
There have been a handful of determining factors leading to this decision. Many of you may not know that my primary employment is as a software developer. When my family was smaller and my job less demanding, I was able to fulfill my role as Director of Worship Ministries and still maintain a reasonable schedule. As my family has grown and my professional duties have increased, it has become more difficult for me to juggle such a full schedule. Also, I returned to seminary earlier this year to work on completing a Masters degree in order to prepare myself for future ministry opportunities.
While I am stepping down from this ministry role, my family and I remain committed to Kingsburg First Baptist Church and our ministry together. I look forward to continuing as a member of this body and to seeing how God will continue to mold and shape us through this transition. I am also excited at the prospect of a smooth transition as Jesse Wilkin has agreed to take on my previous duties and ministries in addition to his current role. I am confident in his leadership, talents and character to lead us into the presence of the Holy One as we worship together.
Again I thank you and our Lord for the opportunity I have had to serve you over these past years. May God richly bless our church as we strive to serve him and display his majesty and glory in our city and our world.
For His Glory,
Jeff Doolittle
For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. – Romans 11:36
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05.23.07
Posted in Personal at 3:25 pm by Jeff
…is this shirt:
Jonathan Edwards is My Homeboy
(XL please)
or possibly a good father’s day gift?
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05.15.07
Posted in Personal at 12:00 am by Jeff
My wife turned 30 today! Now I’m not the only fogey around our house.
Happy Birthday, love.
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05.04.07
Posted in Personal at 10:14 am by Jeff
I’ve spent the past week in the classroom studying the Gospel of Mark; 8:30 AM to 4 PM every day and I’m exhausted. After a relaxing weekend retreat, followed by a grueling week of New Testament studies, I’m hitting the road to be back home with my wife and kids. I don’t know how many more times I’m going to be able to tolerate these 9-10 day jaunts. Especially considering what Amy endured while I was away.
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04.30.07
Posted in Personal, Faith and Practice at 11:03 pm by Jeff
I had a chance this weekend to escape for a spiritual formation retreat. I arrived in beautiful Julian, CA on Friday afternoon. The group I was with spent most of the weekend in silence and study–what a contrast from the typical daily schedule. It was surreal to spend an entire weekend simply eating, sleeping and reading while spending a good portion of the time in complete verbal silence.
This was a bittersweet retreat, however. As I was enjoying the refreshment and abandon of my getaway, Amy was home dealing with very sick children. Don’t ask me how she finds time to remodel our home while I’m away, especially in the midst of such chaos.
I hope all this personal enrichment pays off (and I’m sure she’s hoping so too!).
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04.12.07
Posted in Personal at 1:15 pm by Jeff
My wife is much better at posting than I am (don’t ask me how she became a blogging nerd, I’m still trying to figure it out myself):
Amy4Peace
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Posted in Personal at 1:13 pm by Jeff
Well, in a sense I have a lot to say, and in a sense I have nothing to say. Life is very busy these days and some of things I’m working on I’m not even at liberty to discuss at the present moment. All is well, but I’ve got a full plate:
Still loving husband and father of three
Still Director of Worship Ministries at my church
Still CTO of SJV Technology Group
Now VP Technology for a new venture I’ll talk more about later
Still working on my Masters at Bethel Seminary
So, do you see time for blogging anywhere in that list? I didn’t think so.
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02.06.07
Posted in Personal at 12:00 am by Jeff
I turned 21. Time keeps on slipping into the future…
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01.29.07
Posted in Personal at 9:42 pm by Jeff
Here is our family photo from Kyle’s 5th birthday (January 28th).
Those disobedient children…I keep telling them to stop growing and they just aren’t listening!
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11.25.06
Posted in Personal, Blogging at 12:00 am by Jeff
A lot has happened in the last three years since I started blogging. I was the father of two children, now three. I was the interim music director at my church, now the director of worship ministries. I was employed by the software company in which I am now a partner. I was not in school then, but now working on my M.A.
Whew! No wonder I haven’t blogged as much in year 3 as I did in years 1 and 2. Well, wish me a happy blogaversary and I’ll try to be better about actually posting this year.
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11.14.06
Posted in Personal at 10:58 pm by Jeff
Answer:
A lot! Family, work, church ministry and seminary all add up to a very full schedule. We hired a new guy at work who has helped take a load off and this has alleviated my workload a bit. I’m halfway through my first quarter back in school and I already can’t wait for Christmas Break! The kids are growing fast, Kaitlyn lost her two front teeth over the weekend:
I’ve lot’s more to tell, but not enough time to tell it. Until next time…
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10.03.06
Posted in Personal at 7:29 pm by Jeff
Well, as of Monday I’m officially back in school. I’m currently working on a Master of Arts in Transformational Leadership through an online program at Bethel Seminary. I’ll probably transfer into an M. Div. program in the next year or so.
Where is all this leading? I don’t know right now. I just want to be ready for whatever God has prepared for the future. Should be a fun ride.
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09.25.06
Posted in Personal at 9:40 pm by Jeff
There are not words to describe… My good friends lost their little girl today. We’ll miss her dearly.
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09.17.06
Posted in Personal, Faith and Practice at 10:29 pm by Jeff
Amy and I had a great time this week getting to know her second cousin Dave and his wife Rachel. They are raising support in preparation for heading to the mission field in Köln, Germany (that’s Cologne to most Americans). It was fun to make new friends with family that we had never met before.
Check out their website and perhaps you can help run them out of the country too…
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08.29.06
Posted in Personal at 12:13 pm by Jeff
Well, just see for yourself…
Kaitlyn - 6
Kyle - 4 1/2
Jack - 2
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08.27.06
Posted in Personal at 8:23 pm by Jeff
Well, you might have noticed that the post titled “The Normal Christian Life” is quite long. Actually, it is a script from my first sermon. I used to teach a lot at camps and for youth groups, but on Sunday August 20th, I got my first chance to preach in “big church.”
Also, we showed a video that morning just prior to my sermon. You can watch it first and you’ll understand what I’m referring to in the sermon when I talk about “the video.”
“Timmy”
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