Why We Gather Together!

Creekers - If you missed this weekend check out this 5 min clip about why we gather together as a church. May the Lord make this place a safe harbor where we can gather and scatter!

A Willing New Year

It's a new year which means it's time for change.

It's time to let go of anything that has been holding you back. It's time to forgive those who've hurt you. It's time to dismiss those offenses that have built up in your heart. It's time to start new traditions and break old habits. It's time to trust and not fear. It's time to give and not take.

It's time to take your next step!

And what do all of those things have in common? They only happen if you are willing. We all want change. We all want freedom. We all want improvement in our lives but rarely are we truly willing to do what it takes. Let this be the year you are willing!

"Search me, God and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." (Psalm 139:23-24)

No Inheritance

A lot of times, we think portions of Scripture are irrelevant and boring. I have had multiple people say to me that Joshua 11-24 has nothing of value to receive in reading it. Why bother reading it? Well, you have to remember that all Scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness (2 Tim 3:16-17).

So, as the book of Joshua transitions into the "division of the land" starting in Joshua 13 (and may seem a little boring or historical), there is an interesting little verse that quietly stands out. All the tribes are ready and waiting for their inheritance. They want to receive the portion of the Promise Land that belongs to them.

You can picture how it goes. Each tribe, clan, and family is waiting, hoping, praying for the perfect piece of land. One that will support and bless their families for years to come. Joshua starts giving the land out according to what Moses had already perscribed. And then we get to Joshua 13:14, "But to the tribe of Levi he gave no inheritance, since the offerings made by fire to the Lord, the God of Israel, are their inheritance, as he promised them." Its a small simple verse. One that is easy to miss when reading through the allotments of the land. And yet its incredibly profound.

You see the Levities' inheritance was not like the rest of the tribes' inheritance. They didn't get any land. They didn't get any property for themselves. Instead, their inheritance was the Lord. Their inheritance was a ministry unto the Lord. The Levities were to be set apart to and focused upon the Lord.

I don't know about you but my first thought is "Wow, the Levities got ripped off." Everyone else gets land and they get a ministry. But when you really think about it, they got the greatest inheritance of all. They got the ministry of the Lord. The Levites got to be in God's presence serving the Lord night and day without having to worry about how to take care of any land or possessions. What a freedom. What a blessing. What a release of burden.

Your personal ministry should never be a burden - it's an inheritance!

Would you be content with the Lord as your inheritance? That's a great question to ask. Are you concerned with acquiring more "stuff?" Or, are you concerned with acquiring more of the Lord? I want to have the heart of a Levite in this Next Chapter. I want the Lord to be my inheritance - to be my portion!

"The Levitical priests - indeed, the whole tribe of Levi - are to have no allotment or inheritance with Israel. They shall live on the food offerings presented to the Lord, for that is their inheritance. They shall have no inheritance among their fellow Israelites; the Lord is their inheritance, as he promised them." (Deuteronomy 18:1-2)

People of the City

There are people all over our city who are ready and waiting to be invited to be a part of what God is doing. They are broken, isolated, weary - just waiting for someone to extend an open invitation to them. My hope and prayer for our church is that we will be a church who serves the city. That we will be a church who ministers to the city. That we will be a church who partners with the city. That we will be a church who loves the city. God's redemptive heart is always for the people of the city and he wants to use us to expand his kingdom into their lives.

In Jeremiah 29:7, God tells his people to "Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper." God wants his people to help the city find peace and prosperity. He wants to use us to intercede for it - to serve it - to bless it. And if it prospers we will prosper. In other words, if we serve our city with pure hearts and motives we will be blessed. As a wise man once told me, one of the best ways to grow on your spiritual journey is to engage people who are far from God - the people of the city!

Who is a person in our city who should be a part of the Next Chapter of the story he is writing? This weekend I invited you to ask the Lord for one person you could pray these verses over. May you pray, listen, and respond to how the Spirit prompts you. May you respond to how HE leads!

"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer believe that you have received it and it shall be yours." (Mark 11:24)

The Next Chapter

Colleen and I are ready and excited for the Next Chapter.

For the next chapter of our family, our spiritual life, Valley Creek Church - we are excited for the Next Chapter that God is going to author. It is going to be a season full of adventure, Only God Stories, new experiences, new relationships, learning, growing, reaching, impacting, and following. We are honored, humbled, and overwhelmed by God's goodness walking into this new season.

Together we can build on the past as we move into the future that God has in store for us. So here is your official invitation to come on this journey with us. Come join us as we partner with what God is doing in our city.

For the next 7 weeks we will talk about what this Next Chapter is going to look like. We are going to discover what your part of the story is - Hope to see you this weekend!

"Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will praise you forever; from generation to generation we will recount your praise." (Psalm 79:13)

God at Work

God is doing some great things...

• in us
• among us
• around us
• through us

Click here to check out our year end report

Are you a part of it?

Cords of Affection

Prayer is the cord of affection that binds our hearts together!

That is a quote I remember reading in a book somewhere. But it is more than a quote - it is truth. Anytime a group of people genuinely seek God together, their hearts begin to become bound together. It is a supernatural unity that only the Holy Spirit can bring in the midst of our cries to God. Scripture tells us that when two or three of us gather together in his name, Jesus is there with us. When we pray, the great unifier is present.

Satan's plan is always to bring division but when we pray, when we come before God to experience and encounter him together, the only thing that can result is unity. Do you want to experience healing from a relational strain or brokenness? Do you want your marriage to be deeper? Do you want your kids to connect with you more? Do you want your small group to have more "life"? Then start praying together because your hearts will begin to supernaturally bind together! And if you can't pray together just start by praying blessings over that person and watch what God will do.

"A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." (Ecc 4:12)

Truth Offends

Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts. (Psalm 95:8)

What is God speaking to you today? Are you listening? Are you receptive? Everything that God is sharing, encouraging, challenging you with today is an invitation to go deeper with him. Is your heart soft and receptive or hard and unwilling to receive the truth he is speaking?

I think the reason we often harden our hearts toward God is because truth offends. I have found myself sharing that with numerous people this week. Truth offends us because it convicts us. It challenges us. It reveals things in us. It is a mirror that shows us who we really are. And so when truth is shared with us we allow it to offend us instead of transform us. Truth can hurt but the TRUTH always brings life. Are you offended by the TRUTH today? Then you are offended by him because he is THE TRUTH!

"I am the Way, THE TRUTH, and the Life." (John 14:6)

Attitude

Attitude reflects leadership.

I like that statement. Look at any team, organization, business, corporation, community and you will see that over time the attitude of the individuals of the group begins to take on an eerie resemblance of the leader. If the leader is full of joy eventually the group will be joyful. If the leader is grumpy eventually the group will become grumpy. For good, bad, or otherwise the individuals of the group will pick up the attitude of their leader. You can probably think of a number of examples of this principle in your own life.

So here is the question...What does your attitude tell you about who your leader is?

If Jesus is truly the leader of your life, if you have fully submitted yourself to him, your attitude should resemble his. If he is really the Lord of your finances, relationships, journey, heart, character, hobbies...your life then your attitude should reflect his leadership. You should be full of the fruit of the Spirit. You should have a healthy perspective of your current circumstances. You should be willing to serve others. You should engage others in a loving way. You should have an attitude that reflects the attitude of your leader.

So who is your leader? Your current attitude will be able to tell you exactly who it is!

"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 2:5)

Good to Remember

This weekend I have the privilege of officiating the wedding of one of my childhood friends. Lucas and I grew up 3 houses from each other in Grand Island, NY and now we both live in Texas. We played football together, we traveled together, we have sought God together - he celebrated with me at my wedding and now I get to celebrate with him at his wedding. While I have officiated weddings before this is the first time I get to be both the best man and the officiating pastor!

As I have been preparing for his wedding I couldn't help but remember how great my wedding was. Colleen was more beautiful than I could have even imagined. That day, was a day I will never forget because I got to make a commitment to her, my friends/family, and God that together we would follow hard after God for as long as we live. I love my wife and I am so glad God brought her into my life! It is good to stop and remember. It seems as if every year this picture becomes sweeter and sweeter.

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs." (1 Corinthians 13:4-5)

This is Snow

Dallas, what you see out your window today is not snow but white rain. This is a picture of Buffalo, NY snow - they got 31 inches in two days this Christmas season - that is snow! =)

Shape not Shame

Random parenting thought...

My son is a leader. He is one of those kids who from a very early age takes charge wherever he goes. His little mind has an opinion on how things should be and need to be done and he is not afraid to let you or anyone know about it. He is the only kid I know who can rally a group of kids 5 years older than him to follow him around the playground as he yells out, "hey guys follow me - I am a leader!" (seriously that happens every time we go to the playground)

I love that Trey is a leader. I love that this is who God has made him to be. But in a world of two and three year olds his "passionate/intense leadership style" can be a little much. Thus a great parenting challenge - How do we encourage him to be the leader God has made him to be and yet temper his interactions?

Colleen and I want to shape not shame our son. He is leader. There is nothing to apologize for, regret, nor wish things were different. To be honest, I love it when he takes charge and leads even when it is too aggressive with the other kids because I know we can shape that gift within him! I can't wait to see him lead as his future unfolds. So, we never want to shame him for being a leader or for exhibiting leadership behaviors - rather we want to shape his personality and relational interactions to enhance his God given traits. Shaming kids for things that God has hardwired into their little personalities is the fastest way to short circuit the great things he wants to do in their lives. But make no mistake about shaping is hard work. It takes intentionality, process, time, and energy.

Typically, when we shame kids for their behavior it is because we are reacting in the moment to their behavior. But when we respond with wisdom and patience we begin to shape our kids to be the mighty man or woman of God they were designed to be.

How are you shaping your kids?

"Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord." (Ephesians 6:4)

Know or Know About?

Every Tuesday for the next 12 weeks, with my good friend Eric, I am leading theology lunch group with our staff. It is a great time of coming together and wrestling through the holistic picture of Scripture and what God reveals to us about himself. I love my team - they are great mighty men and women of God trying to know HIM better. In the midst of a lot of laughing, here was a thought from our discussion today...

You can know a lot about God without knowing God.

You can know a lot about godliness without being Godly.

You can know a lot about Scripture without believing Scripture.

The most dangerous place to be in the world is to know a lot of information about God without ever really knowing HIM. Where are you on your journey today? Do you know or do you know about?

"Now this is eternal life: that they may KNOW you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." (John 17:3)

Does He Speak?

That's the proverbial question many of us ask ourselves but I believe it is the wrong question. The right question really is, "Am I listening?"

Matthew 4:4 says, "It takes more than bread to stay alive. It takes a steady stream of words from the mouth of God." I love that - God speaks steady streams of words from his mouth to our heart. He is constantly speaking...so are you listening? Those streams are where the life is!

God in his infinite nature speaks to each one of us in way that we can understand. He speaks those steady streams of words in a unique way to you - in a unique way to me - so that we may hear what he has to say. Scripture gives countless examples of God speaking in these unique ways. He talked to Joseph in a dream. To Moses in a burning bush. To Gideon in the dew of the morning. To Elijah in a still small voice. To Paul in a vision. To you and I in a way that we can hear and understand if our hearts are listening!

One of the unique ways God speaks to me is in finding shed deer antlers. I have only found a few of them in my life but every time I find one, I know God is speaking to me in a way that only I can hear. On Friday morning, I found this shed antler while walking through the woods praying. I was processing some big things with God when out of the corner of my eye I saw this antler buried in some leaves. It must have been a funny sight to see, a full grown man in camouflage, worshiping God in the middle of the woods because the steady streams of words had found his heart through this simple antler.

What unique ways does God speak to you? Are you listening with your heart?

"Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts." (Hebrews 3:7-8)

Now and Later

"God has great things in store for you!" "God is about to do something amazing!" "God is going to move in a mighty way soon!"

Have you ever heard someone say something like that? Maybe it has been said to you. Maybe you have heard it said to someone in your life. Maybe you have said it to someone else. These simple and true little phrases get repeatedly said in a variety of situations, environments, and circumstances in our lives.

But here's my thought...we can get so caught up in thinking that God is going to great things in the future that we miss the fact that God is doing great things now! While it is true that great things are in store for our future it is just as true that God is doing great things now.

Great things are happening now because he is working in us, among us, through us, and around us. Regardless of your situations, circumstances, trials, or disappointments anytime God is working in you, among you, through you, and around you great things are happening.

Look around your life and you'll see some of the amazing things that God is doing right now. You don't have to wait for some future moment to experience his goodness. You don't have to wait until your situation changes to feel his presence. You don't have to wait until things align just right to enjoy his faithfulness. Instead embrace and engage the way God is moving in your life now!

Don't miss God in the now hoping for God in the future.

"The Lord has done great things for us, and we were filled with joy." (Psalm126:3)

Failure is Better

No one likes to fail. We don't want to fail a test. We don't want to fail to accomplish a goal we have set out to achieve. We don't want to fail in a relationship, an investment, a project, an initiative - we don't want to fail.

But is failure really a bad thing?

Well...Failure is often better than mediocre success. Mediocre success doesn't really do much of anything for us. It keeps us in a place of complacency. When we do things that are "O.K." or "just good enough" it never leaves us asking questions of how we can improve, where we need to grow, or what we can learn. Instead, we become immune and satisfied with the status quo - we want to keep everything just as it is because we know it "works." Mediocrity keeps us from stepping out in faith and taking risks. But when we fail, after we have planned, implemented, executed, authentically tried, we learn and grow.

Failure forces us to evaluate what worked and what didn't. Where our strengths were hindered and our weaknesses were exposed. Failures drive us to look inward to a place self-discovery. It shouldn't be feared but rather celebrated when we take the time to learn what went wrong and what went right. Failure isn't really failure when we learn and grow from our experience.

The old adage "if it ain't broke don't fix it" is really a complacent status quo attitude. Instead, why don't we "break it so we can really fix it?" The next time you achieve mediocre success why not ask yourself "what risks do I need to take in order to experience the possibility of a failure?" And the next time you fail why not ask yourself "what did I just learn?" Failure is better than mediocre success!

"And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test." (2 Corinthians 13:6)

Fully

On the back of every one of his business cards, one of the greatest mentors of my life had these words printed. This simple truth of God's love was an amazing open door for conversation with the world around him. You may not be interested in religion but how could you not be interested in this? Not only were these few words intriguing to the people who read them, but maybe even more intriguing was the way my mentor believed them. These few words have changed much in me - may they change much in you as you reflect on them today! The simple truth that you are...

Fully Known

Fully Loved

with

No Fear of Rejection

"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angles nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:37-39)

The Great Monster

Pride.

It is the great monster that haunts us all. It hides in the caverns of our hearts coming out in the most unplanned, undesired, unexpected and inopportune ways. It is an ugliness living within us all that wrecks relationships, steals purity, and burns the bridges to our future. Wisely, it usually doesn't expose itself like the rock-star status - it's more subtle than that.

It's the person who refuses help from a friend because they think they can handle it on their own. It's the continual criticism (yes, even the criticism you think is justified) of people, places, and experiences you encounter. It's the quiet view of superiority that develops when you compare yourself to someone else and think you measure up better. It's anytime you, instead of God, are sitting on the throne of your heart.

There is only one way to eradicate the great monster of the deep - humility. With pride, we have one of two options - 1. Humble Ourselves 2. Let God humble us. Either way it's going to happen so you may as well choose to humble yourself. "God opposes the proud." God himself, not the Devil, opposes you and I when we are prideful - wrap your mind around that one. But, "He gives grace to the humble." The paradox is that when we humble ourselves he exalts us.

Humbling yourself isn't a lot of fun but, it is a whole lot better than being humbled! I would much rather humble myself like David than be humbled like Nebuchadnezzar (I'm not really interested in living like an animal for 7 years, are you?). Is there anywhere in your life where you need to kill the great monster? Let God give you the grace!

"God opposes the proud but he gives grace to the humble." (James 4:6)

The Same

This weekend, I had the privilege of talking to a Christian professional hunter/minister from Zimbabwe. You don't get to meet a guy like that every day. In one simple conversation, I heard stories of God's provision for his family and what hunting a giant elephant bull is like - gotta find a way to hang with this guy on his turf!

What struck me about my time with him was the reiteration that the Kingdom of God is not contained by any manmade boundaries, borders, or distinctions. The same God who rules Zimbabwe rules over Dallas. The same characteristics and attributes of God are "alive" in both my new friend's village and in Lewisville, TX. The same King and Kingdom are as relevant to the "bush" of Africa as they are to the concrete jungle of the metroplex.

The King and His Kingdom cannot be contained (Matt 13:31-32). The King and His Kingdom are advancing (Matt 11:12). The King and His Kingdom wants everyone to joyfully submit to His leadership (Matt 4:17). The King and His Kingdom belongs to those with childlike faith (Matt 18:3-4). The King and his Kingdom rule over every authority, power broker, ruler, judge - over everything that has been created in both heaven an on earth (Col 1:16).

What is the Kingdom of God? It is simply the rule and reign of God. It is where God's will is done on earth as it is in heaven.

The Kingdom stretches the entire universe, it is not contained within any boundaries. And yet, in the same way, Zimbabweans and Texans can reject it or embrace it in their heart - that is the mystery of the Kingdom of God. The King will never force anyone, in any village/city, in any nation to submit to his authority. He extends an invitation to all to come live within his reign and patiently waits to see who will accept his offer. Let me ask you, how big is the King and His Kingdom to you today?

"From that time on Jesus began to preach, 'Repent for the kingdom of heaven is near.'" (Matthew 4:17)

Connect Weekend

Valley Creek it's Connect Weekend! Our whole design and purpose for this weekend is to help you get connected to some new friends. We strive to create environments and experiences where you can encounter God through relationships - and that is what this weekend is all about!

Here are three thoughts about finding community in your life...

1. Admit that you need it. We were created for community - God designed us to need other people in our lives. You weren't meant to go it alone but before you can find friends to help you move forward on your spiritual journey, you have to admit to yourself that you need it. No one pursues something they don't think they need.
2. Make an effort. At the end of the day, finding community falls on you. We can create environments and experiences where you can meet new people but you have to be willing to make an effort. You have to go out of your way to engage with people. You have to take a risk. You have to push past old painful relational experiences. You have to be willing to "put yourself out there." No one can force you into relationships. To gain new friends you have to be willing to be a friend first.
3. Ask God for it. Since He designed you for community he will provide healthy relationships in your life. God already has mentors, friends, spiritual parents, small groups, great God-centered relationships prepared for you. You just have to ask him for it.

The best friends you will ever have are the people you have yet to meet. Don't miss your chance to take a step forward on your spiritual and relational journey this weekend @ VCC. Come early, stay late, and talk to some new people just like you!

"They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common." (Acts 2:42-44)

It's Not About The Leader

In the days since our ER visit, we have been telling people how great of an experience we had at the Children's Hospital in Plano. A scary situation became one of the best hospital experiences either of us have ever had. But here is the interesting thing - I have no idea who the CEO of the hospital is. I don't know who the daily supervisors are. I don't know who makes decisions and leads the day to day operations. To be honest, I don't even really care who they are. All I know, is that our two nurses, Fran and Laura, gave us one of the best health encounters we have ever had. It wasn't the so-called "leaders" who impacted us but rather the people who carry out the purpose and mission on a daily basis.

Wherever you are in your organization flow, you are the most important person to the people you encounter!

When you call a customer service number you don't care how wise the owner of that company is, you care about how helpful the person you're talking to is. When you go to your favorite restaurant you don't care who runs it, you care about how friendly your waiter/waitress is. When you go to a new church it doesn't really matter how much charisma the pastor has, what matters is how welcoming the people are. Each of us has a place in a variety of organizations and at any point in time, you are the most important person someone will encounter.

The way you engage, respond, and interact with these individuals will forever shape their view of your organization. Even the best leaders, cannot overcome the perception that their organizational members give to consumers. So how are you engaging the people in your organization - whether it's the organization of your workplace, family, church, social gathering, community, etc.? You may feel like your task or place in the organization flow is meager or meaningless but to someone today, you will be the most important person they encounter and you will forever shape their perception and experience.

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31)

Emma, the ER, and Encouragement

Yesterday, I got a call from Colleen that they were rushing Emma into the ER because she had stopped breathing with a respiratory virus. WOW - fun call to receive when you are at a funeral an hour away! After a long day and night we are now back home and Emma seems to be doing much better. As I sit here this morning there are about 20 different directions, lessons, thoughts, I could blog about from this experience - but here's my big idea from yesterday...

You be the difference!

As we were being discharged, I grabbed both our ER nurses and told them how much I appreciated them. That they did an incredible job of loving my daughter and wife through a scary situation. That they were full of joy, passion, and compassion in a difficult environment. That they made an anxious life moment a positive experience. As I sat there encouraging and celebrating them, their response was very interesting to me. Both of these ladies were visibly uncomfortable receiving our affirmation. It was almost as if this was the first time they had been thanked and appreciated. But by the end of the conversation you could see how our few meager words had breathed life into these two ladies and all it cost us was some intentionality.

You and I both know that our world is encouragement deprived. Most of us live our lives craving affirmation, encouragement, and appreciation because it is so few and far between. We wonder, "Am I good enough? Do I do a good job? How do I measure up? Am I making a difference?" We wait and hope that someone somewhere will speak some life into us. But unfortunately, the words we usually hear are words of death, despair, and discouragement. And when we do get encouraged, when those sweet moments arise, we honestly don't know how to receive them because they are such a rare commodity. So here's the thought...You be the difference. You be the encourager. You speak words of life. You go out of your way to thank, celebrate, and appreciate the people you encounter.

Too often, we think or say "Someone else will do it." No, someone else probably won't do it. So, if God prompts your heart to encourage someone, it's because he wants you to do it. The next time you feel an impression to encourage, spend a little effort and be the difference. You never know what kind of life will be released in that person's life!

"The tongue has the power of life and death." (Proverbs 18:21)

Yes, I Wore a Pink Bedazzled Shirt!

That's right - and here is the unfortunate proof. Dainyell Wilson, happened to snap this "lovely" photo of me at Soul Sisters last week. Not sure how I ended up wearing it though?

You see, all fall Pastor Laurie and I had a friendly little bet going on. The deal was, whoever got more people to come regularly to Merge (for me) or Soul Sisters (for her) would be the winner. If I lost, I agreed to wear a pink bedazzled shirt and talk at SS. If Laurie lost, she was going to wear camo and talk at Merge. Well...I won. Merge had more attendance than SS and yet somehow I still ended up talking at SS in this shirt. And not only was it pink but it was bedazzled.

So I guess I lost even though I really won. Hate it when that happens - Laurie you're a tricky one. Anyways, just had to clear the air in case you happen to see a pic floating around of me in that shirt.

Guys come on out to Merge tomorrow at 6:30 and ladies check out the Sisters at 9:00. If nothing else - we have a lot of fun!

Now just to regain my masculinity here is a picture of me with a dead animal. Ahhhhhhh much better!

Colleen's New Blog

Ok, so if you want to read a really good blog, by an actual really good author, then check out my wife's new blog. She is a wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend and an incredible follower of Jesus. She has a gift for seeing God in the midst of daily life and will bring encouragement, challenge, and life to the posts she writes.

Check it out...A Life in Process or www.colleenstickl.com

This is cool for the first time in our lives I beat her to using a new technological advance =)

Passionate Ownership

Communication intrigues me.

I love listening to teachers, speakers, preachers, and orators of all arenas of life. Maybe even more so, I love watching their listeners. I love trying to figure out why some communicators have the ability to keep the audience hooked and engaged while others, lose their listeners before they even begin.

I believe that effective communication often boils down to passionate ownership. When a communicator passionately owns their message, when they have allowed it to churn over and over again in their heart, mind, soul, they typically breathe life into their hearers. There is something about passionate ownership of a message that makes it almost irresistible to an audience. It's this facet of communication that creates the bridge of genuineness, authenticity, and relevancy from the communicator to the hearer. Why would anyone want to listen to a communicator who didn't authentically believe in what they were saying? This passionate ownership is what often separates good communicators from great ones. It's what "wins" the ears and more importantly the heart of the listener.

Martin Luther King Jr. was such a communicator. His passionate ownership of equality hooked and compelled his listeners. It has been said that even those who believed in segregation still were drawn to Jr's messages because the message truly lived inside of him. Today we honor a man who communicated God's truth with a passionate ownership!

"There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:28)

Your Vision

Here is a great question for you, what is your vision for your marriage? What are you hoping your marriage will achieve, accomplish, become? What do you want your journey with your spouse to be like? What do you want your marriage relationship to look like one year, five years, twenty years from now?

What's your vision for your marriage?

If you are like most of us, you probably don't really have one. Typically, we are really good at having visions for our companies, teams, churches, organizations but somehow we rarely get around to having visions for the most important aspects of our lives.

Instead of pursuing life we often just kind of let life happen to us.

When Colleen and I got married we did the "trendy do your own vows" thing. And I am so grateful that God gave us a vision that day for our marriage. Our wedding vow, our vision, was that we promised to...abide in Christ, in order to live an abundant life, which positively impacts the kingdom of God together. I realize that may sound a bit "churchy" but it is the heart of our vision for our marriage and, it keeps us constrained to move forward toward that goal. We say yes to the things that help us accomplish that vision and no to the things that pull us away from it.

If you are looking for a great resource this year to grow in your marriage, to find a vision for your marriage, I want to encourage you to check out Real Life Ministries. Tim and Anne Evans (yes, they are my in-laws and I am not doing this for brownie points) have one of the best marriage books and marriage group discussion guides out there. If your looking for an investment into your marriage, let this tool help you uncover God's design - his vision - for your marriage!

Bonus - Guys, this book isn't written in that same ole' wimpy marriage way. This book isn't just for your wife - it is written in a real life way that resonates with real men like you!

"For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become on flesh." (Genesis 2:24)

Growing & Increasing

Hey Valley Creek here is my prayer for us this year - 2010. May this verse become true of our lives and our community! Join me in praying this verse for your own journey and our church.

"We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing." (2 Thessalonians 1:3)

Tiger, Jesus, and Fox News

"And they took offense at him." (Matthew 13:57)

Jesus says hard things. And his words demand a response from our lives. Do you receive and respond to what he has to say, or take offense?

This clip is worth watching especially the last 30 seconds.

Leave Well

I had breakfast yesterday with a good friend of mine who is transitioning from being on staff at one church to another. As we sat and processed his journey I was reminded how important it is to leave well! Over the years, I have seen people like my friend leave extremely well, while at the same time seen others leave poorly. Here are some thoughts about transitioning from one church to another in a life-giving way whether you are staff, a leader, a member, or involved in some capacity...

• Leave well - you know what that means.
• Don't run from something - run to something. Don't run away from a conflict, issue, problem you have instead, run to the next assignment, season, calling that God has for you.
• Personally tell the pastor(s), leaders, volunteers, group members you have relationship with that you are transitioning. Don't just disappear. People love you - give them a chance to say good bye and pray for you. Don't get into details and specifics - just be positive and personable.
• Thank your pastor for the past season and share how you have grown on your spiritual journey while being a part of that church.
• Thank God for the friendships, relationships, and spiritual life he has given you during your time there.
• Don't gossip or slander in the church you are leaving or the church you are heading to. Every piece of trash you throw someone else will have to clean up. No one wants your garbage thrown up all over them anyways (yes I know it's harsh but it's true - the kingdom is too urgent and too important to be highjacked by criticisms and irritations you may have about a particular church).
• Don't carry offenses with you. Process your heart with the Lord and extend forgiveness. Every offense you carry with you will follow you into your next season/church and will hinder you from becoming all God wants you to be. Leave with freedom not bondage.
• Walk away with grace and relationships intact. Make a family commitment to only speak life about the church you are leaving. If you really have a heart to see His kingdom come and his will be done then how are you helping accomplish that by slandering Jesus' bride?
• Leave well - you know what that means!

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths but only for what is helpful for building others up." (Ephesians 4:29)

Awkward Weekends

What have your church experiences been like? Are you helping create a nonawkward, nonthreatening, friendly environment in your church?