Everything is amazing and nobody is happy!

Funny way of putting things in perspective - we live in an amazing time!

Engage

"The best way to grow on your spiritual journey is to engage with someone who is far from God," a wise man said to me yesterday as we sat at IHOP talking about ministry. 

What a simple yet profound truth. We grow when we step into situations where we feel unequipped and inadequate. When we have to rely on Father for what to say, how to respond, and how to love. When we partner with what God is already doing. I know from experience in my own life and from watching others that this is true!

There is something in us that turns "on" when we connect with those far from God. It drives into the Word to discover answers. It leads us to talk with and listen to Father because we don't always know what to do. It creates a childlike excitement and faith within us. It helps us make sacrifices that transform us into His likeness. But when we only surround ourselves with those who think like us, live like us, act like us we begin to grow cold. We begin to lose our sense of Kingdom purpose and destiny. We begin to lose our perspective.

The woman at the well In John 4, is a faith builder for me. She didn't know all the apologetic truth, she didn't have all the answers, her life wasn't perfect and yet God used her to be the first evangelist in the Scriptures. After her personal encounter with God she ran back to her village and said "Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?" And the whole town came out to meet Jesus. An ill-equipped woman engaged those far from God and led them to Jesus. Just imagine the personal spiritual growth she experienced in that moment!

Want to experience a freshness and growth on your journey? Engage someone who is far from God!

"No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him."  (John 6:44)

Faith Required

I was flipping through my journal today. It is a jumbled mess of little notes, thoughts, questions, scriptures, and anything else that at one time seemed important enough to write down. As I looked through the scribbled mess one question that I had written down months ago caught my eyes.

"What are you doing right now that requires faith?"

I have been thinking about that all day. 

As I look at the current reality of my life I see a lot of things that require logic, practicality, and planning. Most of life is quickly filled up with tasks, goals, and plans that require hard work and initiative. It is filled up with things we know we can accomplish or achieve. But what makes that life different than my neighbor who doesn't know the Lord? What makes that life different than my lacrosse buddies just starting their spiritual journey? What makes my life different?  

Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Faith is how we please and honor God. Faith is what frees us of ourselves and allows God to do more than we could ever ask or imagine. Faith is the gas that gets our destiny moving. Faith is what makes life an adventure. Faith is what sets us apart!

For those who truly put their trust in HIM their lives are driven by faith. It is a faith, a confidence, that can only come from a relationship with Father. And once you have lived by faith not by sight, you don't ever want to go back. 

Faith is inspiring and when you are around it you want more of it. I love being with people who are driven by faith - it inspires me. It inspires me to move from the practical to spiritual. From the natural to the supernatural. From what I can do to what God can do.

I want to live a life of faith believing that God can and God will! I want to live a life believing God...

So what are you doing right now that requires faith?

"We live by faith, not by sight."  (2 Corinthians 5:7)

It's a...

I am sure the suspense is killing you. Well, we had a great ultrasound yesterday. The baby is healthy and everything looks good. Thank you Father for your loving and creative hands. Trey is ready to be a big brother!

So...this morning Pastor Becca gave me rhumba tights (whatever they are) and a hair bow to celebrate - wow rhumba tights. Enough said!

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, Before you were born I set you apart."  (Jeremiah 1:5)

Boy or Girl?

We are on our way to the doctors to find out if baby #2 will be a boy or girl.  What's your guess?

A Salty Question

This was a great weekend at church. People were everywhere, the worship was awesome, and there was joy in the air. Between two of our services a salty old man came up to me and asked "Do you have 5 min to talk?"

2 initial thoughts here. 

First, the term salty is a term of endearment. Salty conjures up images of wisdom, experience, discernment and a life well lived. I wish I knew more salty men and I hope some day I will be know as a 'salty old man.' 

Second, whenever anyone asks me for 5 min during the weekend services this is usually code for more like 25! So - I quickly shared with this man that I didn't have the time to talk with him right then because there were other people I had to talk to and ministries I needed to be a part of. But I asked him what it was that he wanted to discuss.

He looked at me and in a very genuine way asked "Do you have accountability in your life? Do you have people who love you, encourage you, challenge you? Do you have friends who truly want to see you succeed?" I shared with him that I did. And as the next 5 min turned into 15, I was truly touched by this man. He felt led to ask me that because he loves me, prays for me, and wants to see me become all that God wants me to be.

As we talked, I felt the Holy Spirit. My heart was warmed and I was blessed by this man's genuine concern and care for me. While I do have those kinds of friends in my life it was a great reminder of how important they truly are. Thank God for mat carriers and salty old men - they truly are a blessing!

So, do you have those kinds of friends in your life? When was the last time you allowed a 'salty' man or woman to speak into your life?

"Grey hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life."  (Proverbs 16:31)

Fox News and Reflections

The 24 hour flu bug that is jumping from carrier to carrier hit me in the middle of the night. At about 2 am I called Pastor Josh and asked him to speak for me at Merge our men's Bible study at 6:30 am. There is nothing like trying to transcribe your message notes in the middle of the night when your sick! I owe Josh big time.

As I stayed in bed today I watched Fox News (Glenn Beck and I are buddies), caught up on email, and had some great reflection time. I had just finished reading Wayne Cordeiro's book entitled Leading on Empty earlier this week. 

I always love reading any books that emphasize the importance of Sabbath rest. Our pastoral team just recently implemented a great new yearly Sabbath rest plan as a part of our regular ministry. Its not a program but rather a freedom. As Jesus said, the Sabbath was made for man not man made for the Sabbath. Note - Sabbaths are crucial for all of us not just those who make their living in ministry!

One of the key take aways from Wayne's book was his dashboard reflections. A dashboard contains all of your vital measurements. Think of a car or airplane dashboard. It would be foolish for any driver or pilot to ignore the dials and measurements on their dashboard. Gas levels, engine temperatures, RPM's, etc. are all important and must be monitored. The same holds true in our lives. Our dashboard helps us determine what the heath and success of our journey looks like. Here are a few of the dials of my dashboard...

1.  Faith Life 

2.  Marriage Life 

3.  Family Life

4.  Office Life

5.  Ministry Life

6.  Financial Life

7.  Social Life

8.  Attitudinal Life

9.  Physical Life

10.Play Life

As I rested today, I looked at each of these vital dials and honestly graded myself (A, B, C, D, F). In some of these areas I am doing great. Others need attention and care. I am thankful that God slowed me down today to have a great time of reflecting with HIM!

What are the dials of your dashboard? How are you doing? Are your dials in a good place or do you have areas where the check engine light has come on?

"He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding."  (Proverbs 15:32)

Which One?

We had a great Family Ministries Team meeting this morning. After about an hour and a half of our "regular" weekly team discussions we ventured down the road of technology. Facebook, myspace, Twitter, or blogs? Which one? Which one is the best? Which one is on the cutting edge? Which one will soon be phasing out? Which one helps you connect and network with people in the most strategic way?

Half of our team are Facebook addicts the other half of us (yes that includes me) have zero interest in getting sucked into the Facebook world. Yes - getting sucked in. Facebookers are addicts! I am sure that if I started one I would become an addict too. And so it makes me tired and overwhelmed to even think about "tagging" people.

Which one do you use?

Even though we all had different opinions about which technology is the best, we had a great time. Doing life and ministry with people you love is the way it is meant to be. When we unite together for His cause there is no stopping us!

"How good and pleasant it is when brothers live in unity together."  (Psalm 133:1)

Starting Place

This weekend our small group team kicked off Starting Place with more than 50 people participating.  Starting Place is about a journey into friendship - relationship - community! Our hope is that this 6-week small group experience will help people taste what group life is all about. It is a conversational environment where individuals can literally sample group life, meet some new folks, and talk about their faith journey. If you haven't found a place to connect this is the next step for you.    

I am proud of our team for working so hard to make it easy for people to "get connected!"

"Let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another."  (Hebrews 10:25)

Messy Approval

Yesterday morning's breakfast was broken with the sound of crashing from my son Trey's room. He had ventured into his closet and pulled out about every single toy that he has. The next thing I knew, Trey was standing in the kitchen. Random toys lined the path from his room down the hallway and into the kitchen. He had toys wrapped around his arms, his neck, his waist, and even his ankles - he was a complete mess. 

As he ventured into the kitchen he looked up at me and froze. He thought for a few moments and then this look came across face. It was a look as if he was hoping to find my approval even in the midst of the toys strewn across the house. In that moment it seemed like he didn't care what anyone else in the world thought about him as long as he was pleasing his daddy. And his daddy was more than pleased!

I have been thinking about that moment since it happened.  The picture in my mind is worth a thousand words. That's exactly what our journey with Father should look like. Even though sometimes I am a mess. Even though sometimes I have created a mess. Even though sometimes my circumstances are a mess I can always go to Him. I want to look to Father for his approval and his approval alone. To think that God finds joy when I make it my goal to please him even when I am a mess!

Whose approval are you trying win?

"So we make it our goal to please him."  (2 Corinthians 5:9)

A Bunch of Babble

This past week we spent some time hanging out at our friend's house. Trey had a blast exploring every nook and cranny of this new wonderland.  While he was running around like a wild child, he was talking up a storm jibber jabbering everywhere he went.  With every word he said our friends would look at Colleen and I for the interpretation. He would say 'go-go-go' which means motorcycle.  He would say 'ee-our-a-he' which translates to ''get out of here'' (that is what we say when we wrestle)!  'he-pew' - help you.  'ahh-etter' all better.  And so on.  

What sounded like a baby babbling to them made perfect sense to us. We spend so much time with Trey that we have learned to interpret his "babble."  Our level of intimacy and familiarity with him allows us to both hear and understand what he is trying to say.  

Often times, we struggle hearing and understanding that which God is trying to speak to us don't we?  We get discouraged, confused, and even frustrated when we hear but don't understand. And so we begin to ask others what God is saying when his voice seems to be a bunch of babbling. But as our intimacy with God grows his voice begins to become familiar. We begin to learn how to hear and interpret that which he saying. Jesus tells us that his sheep know his voice.  They know his voice because they they don't live for the shepherd they live with the shepherd.  Are you learning to hear and understand God's voice?

"His sheep follow him because they know his voice."  (John 10:4)

Vocabulary Matters

Vocabulary matters!  Our choice of words often say more than we realize when communicating to others.  For example, when you hear the word "class" what do you think of?  You probably see a teacher teaching a room full of students in an organized way.  How about the word "group?" You probably see a gathering of people together in an organic way.  Words carry meaning!  As I have been preparing for our weekly men's Bible study, Merge, I have been thinking about how our vocabulary matters as we share our journey of faith with others.

One word that is often used in spiritual settings is recruit.  What do you think of when you hear the word recruit?  

Recruit has this hidden underlying meaning - it usually means that the recruiter is trying to recruit you to help them accomplish a task.  It has an inherent selfish meaning.  A business recruiter tries to get you to take a new job for their own gain.  A sales recruiter tries to sell you something to fill their quota.  A sports recruiter tries to get you to commit to their school to make their team better.  When you recruit someone, you seek them out for your benefit not theirs.

The word invite on the other hand, carries a much different meaning. An invitation is usually extended to bless the individual being invited. If you invite me to your party you want me to come for my benefit. There is no hidden agenda. No hidden motives.  You invite someone when you want them to benefit. While it is a subtle vocabulary difference the message conveyed is huge. Think about it for a moment - would you rather be recruited or invited?

Jesus was the master at using the right vocabulary.  Aren't you grateful that he didn't recruit you to His cause but rather invited you to follow Him on a journey?

"Come, follow me."  (Matthew 4:19)

Divine Encounters and Stray Cats!

Today I had lunch with a friend at Pei Wei.  This is a big deal if for no other reason than I don't like Asian food.  So you know it must have been a good friend, no a really good friend, for me to venture into an Asian style restaurant.  

As we sat there eating what was probably somebody's stray dog (just kidding it was probably a cat), we experienced a divine encounter. Both of us quickly and willingly began to share what God was doing in our lives.  There was very little small talk, almost no chitchat - we just dove right in.  We celebrated "only God Stories," we discussed how God was bringing the dark areas of our hearts into the light, we talked about what we hoped to see God do in the near future - it was one of those times when you know and feel that God is with you.

As I got home this evening and thought about my lunch it made me so grateful for great friends and partners in ministry.  To experience all that God has for us in life and ministry we need friends like this. Friends who will ask us the hard questions, challenge us when we are going off coarse, and encourage us when we are down!  Friends like that are worth Asian food any time!  When was the last time you had a divine encounter with a friend?

"For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."  Matthew 18:20

Changing Methods

Ok here we go - I am finally catching up with the technology of yesterday!  As far as techy stuff goes, I struggle.  I like paper, note pads, and good old fashion snail mail.  Facebook, Iphones, and other fancy gadgets not only frighten me they confound me.  But as much as I hate it, I realize that if I ever want to communicate in this season of time I must get up to speed.  

In order to continually speak into the lives of those around us we must speak the language of relevance.  A mentor friend of mine once said, "We need to take the unchanging message in an ever changing method to an ever in need man!"  While the concept of a blog is already the "wave of the past" it is my attempt to at least get the unchanging message to a needy humanity.

So come on a journey with me.  I will be blogging thoughts, ideas, and reflections about our spiritual journey.  I am not guaranteeing hip emergent posts but I will be honest and transparent.  They may not be eloquent or trendy but they will come from real life.  

As we go, share your thoughts with me along the way.  I need you to help pick up my mat and carry me closer to Jesus!