What Kind of World Will Emma Experience?

As I have been holding Emma Joy these first few days of her life, I have been wondering what kind of world will she grow up in? Being a kid now is a whole lot different than when I was a kid (and I am not that old). Will her first car fly? What will being an American look like? What kind of "new" technology will be "normal" for her? 

Things are exponentially changing - morphing - evolving - transforming. The world is "winding down" and the kingdom of God is "winding up." Things are and will continue to alter, modify, and decay on this earth but the kingdom is coming bringing more life, freedom, healing, redemption and nothing can stop it.

I am excited for Emma Joy, not fearful. Regardless of what the condition of the "world" may be, Jesus will still be the Lord of his church. God will still be sovereign. The Word will still be the key to a successful life. The Holy Spirit will still empower. The church will be built and the kingdom will expand. Emma Joy, God has great things in store for you and from this day forward I pray that Father's plans and purposes for your life will come forward. He will use you to usher in his kingdom! No matter what the world around you looks like, or how fast it changes, God is bigger and more powerful than anything you can see with your physical eyes.

"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."  (2 Corinthians 4:18)

Baby Girl Arrived!

Last night at 1:33 am our little girl was brought into the world! I am so proud of my wife who was an absolute champion - I mean she went over a week late in the 100 degree heat - that is a trooper!

Emma Joy Stickl was 8lbs and 4 oz. There is no wi-fi at the hospital so I am quickly writing this from home as I put Trey man down for a nap. More to come tomorrow but I wanted to update you all and say thank you for your prayers! We have much to celebrate in our family today.

These photos aren't very good but they are the best I could get from my phone I still don't know how to use!

Big brother in his new shirt with his new Buzz Lightyear present from baby sister! On my way back to the hospital - More to come tomorrow!

Game Over - We Win!

Guest blogger Brandi Miller...she is one of my team members. In fact, she is the team member I was sitting in a meeting with yesterday when I got the call to make my way to the hospital! Brandi is one of those authentically genuine people. She truly has a love and a passion for the people around her as well as for the people she has yet to meet. Her "view of Jesus" is an inspiriation to me and the rest of our team. Brandi, her husband Jeb, and their 4 kids have been a tremendous blessing to my family. I am truly honored to call them friends and partners in ministry. Here is a post Brandi wrote sometime in the early morning hours as we had our baby. Thank you Brandi and Jeb, as well as so many of you, who prayed for Colleen, baby girl, and the delivery!

I love overtime games! I am usually rooting for the underdog to come from behind, surprise everyone and win! On more than one occasion I have found myself telling the crowd - the game's not over yet as I remain hopeful feeling like the 12th man!

Last night I felt like the 12th man. At about 3:00 o'clock in the afternoon, John got the call he has been waiting for - "it's time"! We were officially entering into the 5th quarter, Colleen is calling John into the game with the final down and she pulls out the play that she has been working on for 9 months, a sure-fire plan for the ultimate final game experience and win that her heart truly desired.

I imagine the crowd of family and friends who knew of this special play began praying and interceding - Father, bless her with the victory let her plan be your plan!

God so blessed and honored this beautfiul family - at 1:38 AM I received the most wonderful news - BABY HERE!

Emma Joy Stickl - 8 lbs. 4 oz.

As we travel on this journey with Him, we remain "hopeful" that the play we have crafted and designed will be pleasing to Him, that our plan will be His plan.

Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

Overtime

In most instances "overtime" is an exciting thing. 

The only person who doesn't like watching a game go into overtime is the wife who is ready to change the channel and finally watch Extreme Home Makeover instead. When games go into OT we love the anticipation, excitement, and drama that comes with it regardless of who wins - that is of coarse unless you go into OT in an event you are ready to be done with!

My little girl has officially gone into "overtime." She was due about a week ago and still hasn't arrived. Unfortunately, this is an OT we weren't hoping nor looking forward to. But alas we are in OT and there is nothing we can do to speed it up and finish the "game" (and yes we have heard and tried almost every wives' tale there is). I think baby girl may be in the 6th grade by the time she comes out!

Mentally, we are out of sorts. My son Trey was born on his due date and everyone has told us that your second child comes early. So we were planning on baby girl coming about 3-4 weeks ago. Seriously! While that was obviously a bad assumption experience defines expectations. Our experience with Trey and our friends created within us an expectation of an early delivery. The difference between your expectation and reality is the level of disappointment you will experience. The reality of her birthday is a whole lot different than our expectation - that has created disappointment.

Too often in life, we set ourselves up for disappointment. We allow our past experiences to determine the expectations of our future. Because of our past experiences many times we won't take a chance on life because we just assume it will be the same as it is was before - that our previous experience will happen again because "that's just the way life works." Or, we create in our minds this great expectation of how things are going to be but when they don't work out the way we wanted, when reality is different than our hoped for future, we experience massive disappointment. That ever happen to you?

Don't allow your previous experiences to determine your future. Don't allow a different reality than you were hoping for create disappointment in your heart. Overtime is a great thing. OT allows us to participate in what God is doing just a little bit longer. Baby girl isn't ready to come out yet but when "time come baby come." When God is done forming and shaping her she will come. Colleen has a few more hours or days to spend with baby girl in a way that she will never be able to do again. She is going to be here soon, OT will be over, and I will let you know!

Running

So I started running again this week. About a year and a half ago the lacrosse league I played in changed their games to Saturdays at 5 and Sundays at 1 - that was the end of that! But with my bear hunting trip right around the corner I realized I needed to get back in shape so I can hike the Alaskan mountains. So I started running again and boy it is no fun. I mean who likes to run for fun? And in a 100 degree weather it is even less fun than I remembered.

As I started running I have been thinking about how physical conditioning is similar to spiritual conditioning. See if these ring true with you...

1. It is difficult to get started - Boy is that true! Whether it is working out your body or your spirit it is incredibly difficult to get started. Everything around us and in us fights getting started. We always want to wait till tomorrow don't we? 
2. It is hard to stay committed - Everybody can work out for day, a week, or even a month. But the commitment to push through and sustain is oh so very hard. As we get started there is newness, freshness, and excitement but the reality of the hard work quickly kicks in and hijacks our effort. Can't tell you how many times I have gone through that cycle. 
3. The more you do it the easier it becomes - Once you push through the hump and get into a rhythm it becomes a part of your daily life. As your physical and spiritual muscles begin to grow they become stronger and what was once hard becomes easier. You begin to have the capacity to run further/longer, lift more weight, do more sit ups - spend more time with God, receive more revelation, hear more from Father, meditate longer on scripture, etc.
4. The results are worth the hard work -  No doubt about it working out is hard work. No gain without the pain. But a healthier Spirit and a healthier body are always worth the effort that it takes. Don't let anyone convince you that growing your inner man is an easy task - it isn't. But for those who are willing to put in the work will be blessed with more of the Father!

Sometimes running and working out or reading scripture and praying can feel like a chore. It can be boring, discouraging, or tiring but if you are willing to push through you will reap a harvest of health and righteousness. Spiritual laws once set in motion stay in motion. What you sow you will reap. Are you willing to get started? Are you willing to push through? Are you willing to experience the strain? It's your choice!

"For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come."  (1 Timothy 4:8) 

The Sheriff and Good Gifts

Guest blogger Colleen Stickl - That's right she is my wife and no she still hasn't had the baby! Colleen is a gifted leader, an amazing communicator, and a better writer than I could ever hope to be. She is a powerful minister of the Gospel regardless of the fact that she is married to a "pastor." When we first met I was drawn to her incredible love for God and over the years I have watched that love grow. She is an incredible mom, a wonderful wife, and my best friend. More than anyone else she helps me experience God in new and deepening ways. She challenges me, encourages me, believes in me, motivates me, inspires me, ministers to me, and loves me. She is my ultimate mat carrier. Thanks babe for sharing this with me and with us - love you!

(written approximately 1 month ago)

Last night dear friends of ours graciously called and asked if they could take Trey for a couple of hours so we could go out to dinner together, certainly an opportunity we could not pass up!  Trey was SO thrilled that he was getting to go to "Jah-shoe's" house (that's Joshua), that he was waiting by the door when Johnny came home.  Did I mention he was in full Superman attire?  Again.

It was truly a gift to be out for a kid-less dinner--rare quality time for the two of us to catch up, laugh together and argue/debate about the eternal destiny of the Native American population most likely spurred on from our recent marathon viewing of the Lonesome Dove series.  (I love my husband by the way).  

Anyways, next to the intense yet enjoyable conversations we shared, the best part of the night was the trip we made to Toys R Us immediately following our meal.  We were on a simple mission to find, and hopefully purchase, a birthday gift for our soon to be two year old Trey.  We scoured the store for a while looking for that perfect item.  With each toy we picked up, we would laugh and anticipate how Trey would respond to it and whether or not he would like it and of course whether or not it was even worth buying.  Several shiny gadgets caught our attention at first glance but it wasn't until we came across the Disney CARS big Sheriff tucked away behind all the other toys that we knew we had found THE ONE (insert angelic choir music for effect).  A beam of light shone brightly from those lovely florescent lights in the seemingly endless Toys R Us sky--casting it's shadow directly on the toy.  It was destiny!  We'll take it!

Johnny and I were so excited the whole drive to our friend's house checking out all the gadgets on this thing.  Not only did it have two amazing sirens but the car would talk (in the real Sheriff voice) repeatedly imitating Sheriff's lines from the CARS movie.  One of them being, "Boy, you in a heap o' trouble"....Believe it or not, Trey's Pop-Pop taught him this very phrase from the movie last Christmas and since that time Trey will walk around the house (probably several times a day) saying, "Mommy, Sheriff say 'Heap trouble boy!".

Somewhere between Toys R Us and our friend's house, Johnny convinces me that we have to give the gift to Trey tonight.  Tonight?  But his birthday isn't until June 18th, why would we give it to him tonight?  My practical mom side kicked in as i anticipated having to make another trip to another store on someother day that comes before the 18th of June.   But the excitement was just too great for both of us and Johnny's suggestion was really all I needed it to give in and let Trey just open it tonight. 

Just a few short moments after our son was buckled up in his car seat, Johnny went in the back to give him "the gift".  That's right, we couldn't even wait until we got to our house two miles away.  As soon as we said the words "Trey" and "present"---our son was completely engaged.  He spotted the Toys R Us bag immediately and quickly starting flailing his legs in his carseat, eyes big as the moon--an almost nervous joy written all across his little boyish grin.  He couldn't wait to open it----and obviously, either could we!  Johnny fed into the excitement by rustling the bag together to create lots of noise and "talking up" the gift as he helped Trey open it.

The initial response we got was everything we hoped it would be.  I think it's the first time I would describe what came out of Trey's mouth almost as a "squeal" but now that I think about it, that's exactly what it was.  He immediately checked out every siren and gadget on this thing, already repeating "Big Sheriff's" lines.  He chattered the whole way home and proudly carried his new "Big Sheriff" into the house.  

Johnny and I so enjoyed giving our son this gift and watching the expression of pure delight as he opened it that we were determined to "recapture" the moment on our phone videos once we got home so our families in Colorado and New York could get a snapshot as well.  If I was savvy enough to attach the video right here i would, but here's the basic recap.  Johnny re-takes the toy out of the bag (once again loudly crinkling the packaging and the bag) and the two of us loudly and theatrically oooooohhhh and ahhhhh while Trey stands there with a partially confused look on his face, completely disinterested.

Our families all called laughing at us.  They were convinced that WE were more excited about the gift than Trey was.  (I guess I can see where him running to his room near the end of the video to get Woody and Buzz Lightyear would give them that impression....) If only they could see his face in the car ride home, then they would know!

But in all honestly, I'm pretty sure they were right.  Trey may be into Sheriff for a day or two but in due time, he'll probably be shelved with all of the other old toys he has.  At the end of the quick call to my parents my mom nonchalantly said, "Isn't it amazing how much we as parents so badly want to give our kids gifts...and not just any gifts, but GOOD gifts?  Imagine how God must feel about giving us good things."

As we said a quick goodbye, I sat on the couch watching Trey go up to his dad with a big hug and kiss and say "Thank you Dada, Night night Dada, (and then finally) Dada, cape off."  Johnny responded by de-caping Superman and carrying him to bed.  I sat by and watched, allowing my heart to be quiet for just one moment and take in the memories of the night.  

I think my own mom hit the nail on the head during our phone conversation.  I thought about her comment and for a moment was given a glimpse into the heart of my Good Father.  A Father who not only gives gifts, but gives goodgifts.  A Father that blesses me in ways that are so personal and unique to me.  A Father that delights in me!  A Father that desires to see me "squeal" with joy.  

I thanked the Lord for our child that night.  I thanked him for giving parents like Johnny and I the opportunity to taste and see and experience the heart of a Father.  I thanked the Lord for the many good gifts He has given me in life.  As the lights when out for the night I thanked God once again for being a good Father who keeps on giving good gifts.  I also asked him for wisdom for the next day, knowing I had to get to the store again to find the perfect gift for our precious John William the Third:)  Did I mention he has a second birthday coming up? 

Do you ever think about how much the Father desires to give good gifts to you? What are some of the good gifts that God has given to you this week? this month? this year? What are some gifts the Lord has given you that you've responded to with a grateful heart or a childlike squeal? Are there times that you have looked into the face of a gift from the Father only to run to something else---or to find a different "toy"?

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."  (James 1:17)

Let Go to Hold On

"You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men (Mark 7:8)."

What are you doing that is sacrificing God's commands, standards, hopes, or dreams for your life? Where are you trading his words for the traditions, approval, or ways of men? 

His commands are eternal - man's standards are ever-changing. His ways are higher - man's perspective is finite. His Kingdom is expanding - man's kingdom is crumbling.

Too often we let go of God's plans for our life in order to hold on to the view of men. But we are called to let go of man's conditioning, perspective, and standards so we can hold on to God's ways with all that we are. 

What do you need to let go of in order to hold on today?

Pastor Ted

Those two words were iconic for me for many years. 

As a larger than life figure, a gifted communicator, a political leader, a man with incredible charisma, a man who seemingly had it all - Pastor Ted was my ministry hero. As a 22 year old kid, interning at the church he pastored, I hoped and prayed that some day I would be as blessed and anointed as Pastor Ted. I wanted to be just like Pastor Ted. 

In November 2006 when the allegations came forward I couldn't believe what I heard. Not Pastor Ted. No way. It must be a demonic attack on his character. We need to pray this evil accusation away. But sadly it was all true.

Since his public fall many people have had different responses and reactions to Pastor Ted's mistakes. I am not going to comment on those thoughts or feelings. But I am going to say two things that I wish I heard more people saying...

1. Jesus is still the Lord of His church! Regardless of our failings, faults, and mistakes Jesus is still the one who builds his church. He is still in charge. He still has the authority. He is still bigger than our issues. He is bigger than our problems. He is bigger than we are. He doesn't need us and yet he wants to use us in spite of ourselves. He is in all things, above all things, over all things. He still brings life in the midst of tragedy and pain. He is building his church and nothing in all creation can stop the kingdom from advancing. Thank you Father for that truth!
2. I will be forever grateful for the investment Pastor Ted made into my life! Probably more than anyone else Pastor Ted shaped my view and perspective of ministry. He imparted perspective, theology, boldness, confidence in God, and so much more into my life. He helped me view ministry from an abundance mindset - from a "life-giving" viewpoint. He taught me about leadership, communication, and reliance upon the Spirit for ministry. He blessed, encouraged, challenged, and led me in a way few others have. The time I got to spend under his ministry oversight helped become the person I am today. For that (regardless of what has happened since then) I will be forever grateful because God's hand imparted those things into my heart through Pastor Ted.

Whatever you may or may not think of Pastor Ted is really not the point. The point is that Jesus is still the Lord of his church and Pastor Ted touched and blessed a lot of people along the way of his journey - including me! Here is a link to a recent interview Pastor Ted gave to Charisma Magazine read it here.

Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purposes." 

We love to quote it but do we really believe that it is true?

Self-Aware?

Leadership writings often talk about self-awareness. They say that the best leaders spend time, energy, and effort discovering who they are. They uncover and learn their own strengths, weaknesses, abilities - what fills them up and what drains them dry.

I had a great reminder of this today. The last few days (really few weeks), as I have been trying to get ahead so I can enjoy our any moment to come baby, have been packed from morning till night with MEETINGS! Good meetings. Bad meetings. Long meetings. Short meetings. Fun meetings. Boring meetings. Meetings that were a blessing. Meetings that were a beating. Meetings!!!

By the end of the day today I was spent. I had no emotional energy to give to my team, my friends, my wife, my son or my meetings. See I am an introvert/extrovert. I would guess I am a 55/45 split. I love being with people, around people, connected with people - I love ministry because it is all about people. But I am more of an introvert than I am an extrovert. So after a few weeks of non-stop meetings (being with people all day) it has completely drained my emotional energy tank. I need to find some time to be alone (my introverted side) to get recharged. But after a day or two I know I will need to be back with people or I will go crazy. Weird I know.

You and I aren't made to be well rounded. There is incredible freedom in that! Be who God made you to be. Go on search to discover your unique design and embrace it. I am not made to be with people all day every day - that just doesn't work for me. I am grateful for this simple reminder God gave me again today to respect who I am - his engineering design. To find my blind spots and admit they are there not only for my health but for the health of those around me. Are you asking God to help you become self-aware? To find those blind spots? To acknowledge who he has made you to be and who he hasn't made you to be?

By the way...In case you care, I am working on restructuring my weekly meetings to flow a bit better with my 55/45 split!