Just Because

In our world of hyper-connectivity we can connect to anyone at anytime.

Cell phones, text messages, facebook, ichat, twitter, and the list goes on and on. Not only has this allowed us to stay connected from afar but, it has also created a sense of expectancy upon others to respond to us. Modern communication technology has created an attitude within us that says "others should be available to meet my need whenever I need them." You know what I mean?

Doesn't it seem that most of the communication you get has an underlying purpose to it? That the person on the other end really just needs something from you. That they are more interested in what you can provide, fix, do, accomplish for them instead of - well - you.

While you may get a lot of phone calls, text messages, and emails when was the last time you got one just because? Just because the person on the other end of the communication wanted to tell you that they loved you. That they appreciated you. That they were grateful for you. That you were special to them not because of what you do for them but because of who you are.

Maybe a better question is when was the last time you contacted someone else just because? Just because you wanted to say "I love you." No strings attached. No underlying purpose. No hidden need. Just because!

"But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called today." (Hebrews 3:13)

Chasing Jesus

What does it mean to chase Jesus?

That is the question we started wrestling with this week at Merge. It is a question I have been asking in my own life for sometime. I don't know about you, but my journey has often felt like, well, a tiring chase. Like I am always chasing hard after Jesus - a Jesus who is illusive, ambiguous, hard to find - a Jesus who is always available and yet never attainable. I often feel like I am always one step behind him. That he was just here and I just missed him. That he is always just out of reach or just around the next corner.

Chasing Jesus can often feel like being a kid on Christmas eve. Do you remember that? Full of anticipation, you set out cookies and milk on the kitchen table. You get in bed early but stay up late hoping to hear the sound of reindeer or jingling bells on the roof. With heavy eyes, you eventually fall asleep only to wake up early in the morning to find your milk and cookies gone, presents under the tree, and an open fireplace. You know Santa was there but, you didn't get to see him.

Have you ever felt that way with Jesus? That there are traces of his footprints all around your life but never Jesus himself.

Have you ever looked around at the people in your life and thought they know, see, hear, and experience more of God than you do? Have you ever thought "Why am I always chasing Jesus while everyone else seems to catch Jesus?" I know I have.

In Genesis 3:8, right after Adam and Eve sinned they hid from God. And so the cycle of our struggle to chase Jesus began. For the first time in creation man was no longer in unbroken relationship with God and because of their sin, shame, and brokenness they hid from God instead of chasing him. They hid. But then, in the very next verse, Genesis 3:9, the Father says three of the most impactful words in Scripture. "Where are you?"

Where - Are - You?

From that moment in time until today God has been chasing us. That moment, that verse, those few words became a tipping point in eternity. It was the beginning of God's chase after you. From Genesis 3:9 to Revelation 21, the Scriptures are the story of Jesus' chase after humanity - his chase after you. Too often, we get so focused on us chasing Jesus and we forget that he is chasing us.

Here is the big idea - You can't Jesus until he has chased you.

Instead of chasing Jesus you and I, like Adam and Eve, often hide from God don't we? Usually we don't even realize that we are doing it. It is not so much a physical hiddenness but a hiddenness of the heart. But no matter where you go, what you do, where you hide Jesus is whispering "Where are you?" He is chasing you. He is pursuing you. He is wooing you. When we get a glimpse of this revelation our paradigm, our perspective on chasing Jesus, radically changes. So the next time you get discouraged or feel like you cannot catch Jesus just STOP and remember that he is chasing you.

Let him catch you!

Look around your life I bet there are numerous ways, hidden in plain sight, where Jesus is chasing you. Where are you hiding from him? Where do you hear him whispering "Where are you?" How do you see him chasing after you?

"Here I am. I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)

The Bam

Yesterday I got rear ended.

The first car accident of my life. It was late, raining, I was already having a bad day and then bam! While sitting at a stop sign, music way too loud, head lights appeared and then disappeared in my rearview mirror. The next thing I knew two teenagers had smashed into the back of my truck. The sound of crunching metal and fiber glass echoed through the quiet neighborhood. I don't know what was louder, the sound of the cars crumbling together or the frustration screaming in my heart.

We pulled over. I got out to look at my truck and waited to see what the response of the other driver would be. As soon as I saw that it was a 17 year old kid I knew we were in for it. But to my surprise he came over apologizing profusely. He was gracious, apologetic, and genuinely shaken up about what had happened. His response was incredibly inspiring to me. Most adults, let alone kids his age, would not have responded in such a humble way. Thankfully, he responded the way he did because I don't know if I could have kept my composure - his graciousness calmed my heart. I know it wasn't a very pastorly reaction but it's the truth.

Thanks Rick for teaching me a great lesson even though you hit my truck!

Often times in life we get rear ended don't we? We find ourselves going about our daily lives. Everything is fine, we are minding our own business, paying attention to ourselves and then BAM! Seemingly out of nowhere we get hit. Maybe we lose our job, experience a broken relationship, our fridge/air conditioning/furnace/TV goes out, we get personally or emotionally attacked. We weren't expecting it. We weren't planning on it. We didn't do anything to bring it upon ourselves. But we feel and experience the bam!

As I looked at my truck last night I couldn't see any damage but the SUV that rear ended me was absolutely crumpled. As I tried to figure out where he hit my truck I realized that he had hit me square in the trailer hitch receiver. A solid piece of unbreakable steal. So while I was rear ended out of nowhere there was no damage to my truck. Not even a scratch. My rear, my weakness, my point of vulnerability was protected by my trailer hitch!

We will get rear ended in life. The bam will come (John 16:33). The only question is what or better stated who is guarding you?

"You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head." (Psalm 139:5)

Soul Sisters

Ok so I have to admit it - Soul Sisters is awesome!

7 years ago, Pastor Laurie Sutherland started a neighborhood Bible study with just a few ladies. She was nervous, intimidated, and felt unequipped but was obedient to do what God laid on her heart. Here all these years later she is now a pastor on staff with a Bible study that has grown close to 100 ladies coming every Wednesday morning at 9 am in the Flood. Ladies if you are looking for a place to connect and grow this is it! Laurie and her outstanding group of Soul Sisters have started an exciting new environment and experience where you can encounter God through relationships this semester.

What I love about Laurie is that if you attend a small group that she is a part of you will encounter God! From personal experience I can promise you this is true - no one has more Only God Stories than Laurie. That is who she is and that is what you will experience if you become a Soul Sister.

Laurie inspires me because she seeks, knows, and walks with Father!

I can't believe I am actually promoting this on my blog. You see, Laurie and I are in a competition to see who will get more people to attend their groups (Merge with me or Soul Sisters with her). In fact, Pastor Laurie's husband who is one of my Merge leaders has even said that he would rather be a Soul Sister than a Merge Man - how am I suppose to compete with that? To be honest I want to be a Soul Sister too - but please don't tell Laurie.

So ladies here is the deal, go to Soul Sisters but make your husbands come to Merge so I can win!

Laurie - you're awesome but you and the sisters are going down!

Merge Thoughts

Every Wednesday morning about 100 guys gather together to Merge their lives with God and other Godly men. Proverbs 13:20 says, He who walks with the wise becomes wise but a companion of fools suffer harm." Who we do life with has a direct impact on our journey and these men understand this truth - that is why they come each morning. After 20 min of engaging the scriptures we wrestle with relevant questions in our various groups.

Each Wednesday I am going to share with you our big idea from our morning gathering. So here are the last two weeks big ideas...

1. Who you do life with directly impacts the quality of your life and the condition of your spiritual journey.
2. The best way to grow on your spiritual journey is to engage someone who is far from God.

Anguish

Are you willing to be anguished for His Cause?

Surprise!

Yesterday, I came back from a two day pastors retreat to find my office completely jam packed full of balloons! I am not sure who all the members of the guilty party are but, my little boy loved coming in and playing with them this morning. 

We were meant to do ministry with people we love, with people we enjoy, with people who are fun. So today, I am grateful for the team I get to partner with on this journey called ministry!