super encouragement

In their off-hours, Spider-Man, Captain America, and Batman, to name a few, are washing windows at children's hospitals. Their mission? To bring happiness to the youngest of patients.

"We donned the Spider-Man costumes and we rappelled down the side of the buildings," said Harold Connolly, president of Highrise Window Cleaning of Clearwater, Fla. "We knocked on the glass, waved hello – there were a lot of big smiles."

"The kids—that the important thing," Connolly says. "We are hoping it spreads throughout the country and beyond. Other hospitals see this and then ask your window company if they will do it – I bet you they will. Who doesn't like making children happy?"

Read the full story via USATODAY.http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/02/22/superhero-window-washer-children-hospital-spiderman/1938799/

facing an aftermath with new grammar

You’ve read the headlines.

Not just the ones that break our hearts, but the ones that enlarge our hearts.

Our world became fragile again when we heard about the Boston explosion, and we cringed when we learned an 8-year old boy became its third fatality.

There are no words for that.

Yet somehow we were strangely encouraged when we saw how many people ran into the smoking chaos after the blast.

We cheered when Twitter posts shared how runners who crossed the finish line of the Boston Marathon kept running to the hospital to donate blood.

The world took note of the District Attorney’s Office Braveheart-esque declaration, “Moments like these, terrible as they are, don’t show our weakness. They show our strength.”

Individual acts, big and small, can overcome fear and reveal Light in times of great darkness.

There is also something about the aftermath of a tragedy that gives us a desire for new grammar.

For a brief moment, virtually everyone online paused. Instead of recycling more pictures of cats waterskiing or posting our self-righteous outrage about the latest thing we didn’t like about someone else, we looked for something deeper.

Apparently, we found it in Mr. Rogers… yes, that Mr. Rogers.

Facebook was flooded with a quote Fred Rogers said years ago:

“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ To this day, especially in times of ‘disaster,’ I remember my mother’s words, and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers - so many caring people in this world.”

What if we could live like this all the time? What if instead of living with outrage about what we find wrong, we engaged what was right from the get-go?

Most days we’re searching Starbucks cups, organic juice bottles or Chinese buffet fortune cookies for a jaunty manifesto to live our day by. Maybe your desk calendar spouts a daily quote or you regularly check your horoscope for advice from a bull or scorpion.

I wonder if we’re so distracted with all these surface-level options that we forget what it means to be deeply attentive.

Psalm 46:10 challenges, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Our hurdle is we can post a personal thought online that’s immediately met with a global audience. Facebook posts and groups can quickly devolve into a Tazmanian Devil-like mob of ranting. Even local “Letters to the Editor” often become more about stomping our feet at others than dialoguing.

We become people looking to say something versus actually becoming people who have something to say.

The aftermath of a tragedy, be it personal, local, national or global, gives us an excuse to mature in how we think and speak. You realize policemen are “heroes” instead of “someone looking to bust me.” Firemen are finally thanked for their everyday, unnoticed volunteerism because you realize when you need them they’re actually there.

Pardon the interruption, but again… why can’t we live this way more often?

I ask because the opposite observation is also true. We often assume we’re the “rescue workers” of everything from local matters to family tensions, when in reality we’re just causing more explosions.

Life is going to continue to squeeze us. Pain will happen, and what we store up in us will spill out of us. Part of the gap we see in the world tracks back to a gap inside of many of us.

Try this: Write down what you hope would come out of you in a tragic moment, then get around people and ideals that will nurture that. Make sure it’s a legitimate commitment, though - even the strongest anchor can’t serve you if you’re only loosely connected to it.

You can waste your breath complaining about life, or bring life into this world until your dying breath.

P.S. This is 8-year-old Martin Richard who died at he Boston Marathon waiting to greet his father.

I could try to say something profound here, such as Martin Richard was embraced and greeted by his heavenly Father that day instead... but I think I'm just going to weep over this for now.

TGIF?

TGIF?

Just a thought - you can just aim for the next temporary buzz, or actually thank God it's Friday by finding real joy in how you live today:

• Look people in the eye, giving them all of your attention.
  It offers worth to the person.
  
• Tell the truth, even if it means you have to appear foolish.
  It fosters integrity to your life.
  
• Own a situation you should have handled differently, even if it feels "in the past" or you'd rather not acknowledge where you dropped the ball.It restores value to the relationship.
  
• Make a difference by helping restore people and things back to their original, created God-given purpose.
  It adds vision to everything you do.

Or, you know... just live for the next temporary buzz.

As for me and my household, though... I'm all in.

"Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve... but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15)

a behind-the-scenes prayer request to my church

For the past several months (and more), folks within my church have been pulling together to prep for Easter weekend. This is not only an amazing few days in itself every year, but this year represents our relaunch as a church - something we aim to do every five years.

In case you're a part of a church or wonder what some healthy priorities are, I hope you join me/us in praying like this. Here's what I shared with some of our core leaders today:

This is it! "All hands on deck."

Easter weekend. Our relaunch. Replant realized.

The city has been "egged." The building has been prepped. The sign has been made. The sermon has been created (and almost finished).

Counting Good Friday, we have FOUR services this weekend to "love and lead all people into a fully-alive connection with God."

Now... PRAY. Don't just sit there and nod your head like you're going to do it, but actually do it. Jesus prayed so intensely before the cross that the Bible said his sweat was like drops of blood. Can we expect that our prayer life should be any different?

Pray like you've never prayed before:

• Home plate: Pray for your relationship with Christ. Fix your eyes on Jesus, "the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Heb 12:2)

• First base: Pray for your character. Don't go through this weekend confident in your own self. "Just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." (Colossians 2:6-7)

• Second base: Pray for your church community. May we be people who speak honor of each other, believe the best in each other and overlap ourselves into one another. "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." (Hebrews 10:24-25)

• Third base: Pray for your calling. God has put you in the lives of other people for a reason. Invite Him to use your abilities, resources, finances and more to further what He's doing. "Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it." (1 Cor 12:27)

• Home plate: Pray to once again give it all to Jesus. Anything we "score" is for Him and for the "team." That we would "go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." (Matthew 28:19)

What are you waiting for? Let's get to praying! Jesus Christ is Lord... and His cross and Resurrection are about to get elevated. Get on your knees, and let's humbly get this party started. SO excited to share this journey with you!

This is only the beginning!

i'm not for sale

I'm not for sale.

By this I mean I can't soften on what's right in order to get a thumbs up, a perk or a check from someone who would have me give a "thumbs up, a perk or a check" on something wrong - be it themselves or an idea.

Every leader has to face this in a significant way, if not on an ongoing basis.

I'm not necessarily referring to an obvious, under-the-table deal. I'm talking about a grey area where you let your desire to further a dream become a logistical nightmare, or you allow your fear to not rock the boat cause you to water down a confrontation. Far too many good men and women sell their influence and passion to someone who has a big bank roll but a small character... and it's hard to ever overcome it.

There are times, though, when you get blessed for doing the right thing. Just make sure it doesn't alter your trajectory.  Don't let anyone put a price tag on your leadership no matter how much pressure you are under. 

Develop a culture where character matters, starting with your own.

My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? (James 2:1-4)

a divisive mustache?

Perhaps you heard about this story:

SPRINGFIELD, IL -- Pastor Rick Pfeiffer returned from vacation with a new mustache, promptly dividing his church.

"I couldn't get used to it," says Janet Stassey, one of 55 longtime members who left Living Word over the flap. "I like his preaching, but the mustache interferes with his ministry. He should recognize that."

Pfeiffer says he didn't realize his facial hair would upset so many people. Some told him he looks creepy, like a "skinny version of Robert Goulet."

"I like the old look," grumbles Leo Winter, 46, who has considered leaving the church. "When a pastor isn't consistent, things go off the rails. What's next? A goatee?"

I shared about this at the end of my message this past weekend... a message about the values the Bible says are to exist in a church. For example, Jesus entrusted His Church into the hands of a ragtag group of people who were full of imperfections, would at times get distracted from what was most important and every once in a while get on each others nerves.

If Jesus Christ has that kind of faith in the Church, who are we to have any less?

So I shared this story at the end of the message and asked our congregation, "What do you think - is this story truth or fiction?" The majority of people in both our services speculated it was truth.

Thankfully, it's fiction. (When I shared that, I even heard someone say, "Whew.")

It was at that point that I put a fake mustache on my face, said nothing for a bit and let the reality sink in...
 people leave churches for silliest of reasons.

Perhaps you've heard of a few.

Perhaps it was only a "mustache."

?

Romans 16:20 says "The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet."

Keep in mind... it says that right in the middle of a passage that is full of directions on how we're to treat one another. So apparently when the church is loving and not petty... optimistic instead of critical... full of reconciliation instead of avoidance... Satan is crushed under our feet.

When we don't do those things...

when we don't treat each other the way God asks us to..

when we make the most out of mustaches...

should we really be surprised that there's something missing from our lives and our churches?

It's time to grow up and go all in.

Whether or not you join me, that's the direction I'm going. Hope to see you there.

kiddos and Christianity

Raising kids isn't easy, especially if you're a Christian. Sometimes it's even harder.

What's perhaps the greatest challenge is your ability to raise your kids to have their own relationships with God is greatly influenced by the connection you have with Him yourself. If you're playing games with this or presuming that checking into church for major holidays is enough, then it's time to recognize you're sending a hypocritical message out they'll one day call you out on.

On the other hand, maybe you're doing your best and are the real deal. Even then the world will critique you for seeming conservative. Who cares? Its criticism or disagreement doesn't negate your freedom to instill the values that matter most. The end goal is to provide your children with the tools they need to have their own walk with God.

One approach is to use a combination of the Ten Commandments as a template to develop your own family values.

• Respect God: The first three of the Ten Commandments deal with respect for God and what it means to put him first in all things. This might inspire rules for your home including starting your day in prayer together as a family or filtering major decisions through biblical values before making them. Fold this into your entertainment, too - maybe it's time to ditch television shows that regularly take God's name in vain or listen music that has a great beat but is full of lyrics that contradict Godly virtues.
  
  
• Keep the Sabbath Holy: The Sabbath is more about restoration than rest. Many Christian families interpret this to mean they should participate in church-related activities at every opportunity, including Sunday school, a morning service and an evening gathering. Other households take it a step further and refrain from certain activities such as shopping or eating out on the Sabbath. Whatever your values end up being, it's not to put a check-mark in your week but to engage in something truly relational and holy with God. Take the day off and power down your cellphone so you can better spend time with His people and restore them back to Him.
  
  
• Honor One Another: The Bible mentions that children are to honor their parents, but also that mothers and fathers need to honor their children as they parent. This doesn't diminish the authority you exercise over your kids; however, you need to demonstrate that authority in the context of grace, love and respect. If taken to an extreme, children might feel as though they don't have the freedom to share their thoughts and feelings.
  
  More realistic values might include not permitting your children to yell, hit, kick or insult one another. You might also require that when speaking to you and their other parent, your children immediately respond with "Yes sir" or "Yes ma'am." These simple rules may seem conservative, but they'll do just that - conserve what it means to help everyone feel more respected.
  
  
• Love People and Use Things: Another three of the Ten Commandments deal with wanting things that don't belong to you, be it vengeance or an object. Simply expressed, we're to love people and use things instead of loving things and using people. To instill this in your children, make it a rule that if anyone in your home wants to use something that belongs to someone else, he must honor that person asking for permission first. Likewise, help them to see that the friendships in their lives need to be less about getting what we want from people and more about being good friends to them.
  
  
• Speak the Truth: Do whatever you can to avoid lying - it creates a home of people who can't trust each other. Jesus taught that our "Yes" should mean yes and our "No" should mean no. That can't happen in your household unless everyone agrees that you will gracefully speak truth to each other, even if it's difficult. Make it clear to your children that no one is allowed to lie -- and that includes you. Even when it's to avoid something uncomfortable, such as expecting another person to say that someone isn't home (in order for that person to dodge a call). 

One last thought... sometimes people say the only real way to help kids learn about God is to tell them nothing. What's ironic is the same people teach their kids the Alphabet, help them with math, and work on their Social Studies report on George Washington. The value to sharing spiritual values is the same - offer your kids a direction based on your best understanding of truth, and give them space to wrestle with it as the years go by.

Write these commandments that I’ve given you today on your hearts. Get them inside of you and then get them inside your children. Talk about them wherever you are, sitting at home or walking in the street; talk about them from the time you get up in the morning to when you fall into bed at night. Tie them on your hands and foreheads as a reminder; inscribe them on the doorposts of your homes and on your city gates. (Deuteronomy 6:6-9, The Message)

criticizing a critical spirit - a.k.a. #RickWarrentips

Today I saw an interesting trend on "the Twitter" - a hashtag for #RickWarrenTips. This clickable link was full of minute-by-minute ribbing of Rick Warren, a noted pastor and author.

Because, you know... that's helpful.

While it was intended to be tongue-in-cheek, perhaps there's more to it than that if you think about the ripples. My sense is it all started when he posted this:

"New churches: Buy land as soon as you can but
delay building for as long as you can.
Can't explain a the reasons here." - Rick Warren

Admittedly, Warren created a limited post. In fact, content like this made me initially put off using "the Twitter" because I didn't like the idea of trying to cram a complete thought into 140 characters... there are times more needs to be said. However, I have in the past two years found a purpose for using "the Twitter" and now try to use even its limitations to hone my limited writing skills.

(Notice how I still call it "the Twitter.")

Today when I saw the Rick Warren topic trending, I wrote:

"#RickWarrentips (Watching this trend. After 3 weeks of being ripped on by people myself, I am unable to contribute. Please starve this one.)"

There are undoubtedly many opinions about Rick Warren. While some would argue he's a solid guy, others would say he's not solid enough. Have fun debating that one and let me know who wins.

What I would offer is when we jab at a minister, we jab at the culture of ministry altogether. After all, the more we make someone a caricature, the less we have to give valid credit to how they're trying to grow our character. And the less we value what comes through a person of God, the less we value hearing God speak to us.

Maybe no one has thought that far ahead yet.

The upside? Rick Warren proved his integrity by jumping in on the ribbing himself, using the very hashtag that prompted it. Perhaps we'll celebrate that... or perhaps he's like that kid who was given a nickname he didn't ask for and would rather laugh among his peers than say "Ouch." Either way, I appreciate and respect his spirit.

Meanwhile, one more observation...

It's odd how you and I insist that everyone else remember we're real people with real feelings... that they just need to give us grace for our shortcomings. Yet we seem to have no problem commenting on the perceived gaps we see in others.

P.S. Note the word "perceived."

P.P.S. Close your eyes and imagine a group of people commenting on you with all the unfair, negative perceptions they've formed about you. Get deep into those negative feelings. Now open your eyes and bring your best self to live differently in how you talk about others in public and in private.

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." (Ephesians 4:29)

bad ways to celebrate valentine's day

I'm writing this at 5:45pm on Valentine's Day. My wife is making an amazing meal for our family that is almost done... we've had throughout the day together, too. Heart-shaped donuts; a special lunch; secret-Valentine's Day cards among the family; Lemonberry and more 

But as I sit here on the verge of more great stuff, I'm reminded that others may be heading out to spend Valentine's Day with a special someone. If so, this list is for you.

Bad Ways to Celebrate Valentine's Day:

• Eat a candle-lit dinner at McDonalds (unless this is splurging for your budget - then, by all means, go for it - you'll look romantic)
• Take him out to eat at  Wendy's and tell him he can only order from the dollar menu.
• Instead of chocolates, you bring her a 12 pack of Slim-Fast.
• Bring your cat on the date.
• Offer to watch the Notebook, but eat popcorn loudly and comment on the actor's shoes during the whole movie.
• Buy her an actual bear.
• Buy him a shake-weight.
• Hand her a card that has someone else's name scratched off and hers written above it.
• Take phone calls from friends and tell them how the date is going... in front of him.

In all seriousness, make this day less about fuzzy love and more about the real thing. Me? I'm getting called over to dinner.

And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her. (Gen 29:20)

p.s. if you take photos of yourself...

Just a reminder that if you need a picture of yourself to post online, get a friend... preferably one who doesn't still make you do the cheesy pose in front of a mirror.

If you can't make that happen and insist on standing in front of a mirror for a picture (which, by the way, makes no sense whatsoever), just another reminder that you don't need to get all showy with your camera.

(Because it likely comes across like this)

Likewise, you may want to make sure that whatever attitude your face is communicating matches the rest of your... "attitude."

Ladies (especially), please know that while you think it's sexy to show off your cleavage... it belittles you and makes the rest of your character appear non-existent.

So... what's the cumulative take away?

Well, maybe there are enough pictures of people taking pictures of themselves already out there... and we should really leave it up to the professionals.

Honestly.

false motives, and the hard irony of loving others

When people are unsure of your motives, they'll invent some.

"Did you hear what so-and-so said?"

"He/she didn't say that."

"Oh, I'm sure he/she did."

Often this is a negative, especially when a person is looking for a reason to dislike you and feel justified; however, it can even be a false positive and they may give you kudos you don't deserve. Jesus spoke about this to a group of leaders who constantly tried to justify themselves to others:

"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and everything unclean." (Matthew 23:27)

Ouch.

Some years ago, people attributed a certain poem to Mother Teresa... after all, it sounded like something everyone could imagine her saying. Another story says this was inscribed on the wall of Mother Teresa's children's home in Calcutta.

However, an article in the New York Times has since reported (March 8, 2002) that the original version of this poem was written by Dr. Kent M. Keith. Still, Mother Teresa gets the credit.

Given the material in the poem, this is all quite ironic. Enjoy, and apply:

People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered.
Love them anyway.


If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Do good anyway.


If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway.


The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.


Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway.


The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds.
Think big anyway.


People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs.
Fight for a few underdogs anyway.


What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway.


People really need help but may attack you if you do help them.
Help people anyway.


Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth.
Give the world the best you have anyway.

You might need to read that again.

behind-the-scenes leadership lessons: simply youth ministry conference

In about two weeks, I'll be back again at to take part in, serve and speak at the Simply Youth Ministry Conference. It's not only become one of my favorite learning communities, but is also a hub of amazing friends I've grown to respect more and more each time I'm with them.

That's the quick aim of this post, actually - I'd like for you to understand what happens behind-the-scenes of this particular event. While you can find some great highlight videos or digital images taken on high-grade cameras, I'd like to give you a quick camera-phone glimpse from my experience last year:

The Group/Simply Youth Ministry team has this crazy idea that right in the hub of chaos, just before everyone arrives, that they should pause to encourage everyone speaking or serving and give them a catered meal. It really sets the tone for what's ahead by placing the focus on Jesus and relationships. Even if you don't know all the inside jokes, no one is an outsider.

Disclaimer: SYMC gave me some shelf space for some of my books.
Disclaimer: Even if they didn't, I'd still write this post.

Granted, this is merely a shot of the restaurant area near the convention center in last year's location. What I like about what it represents is every time I'd head down to it I never knew who I'd bump into and spontaneously share a meal with. Everyone is so approachable - I had some amazing chats with some now-great friends who were strangers only moments before we shook hands.

In addition to speaking a teaching track last year, I was able to serve Francis Chan and Rachel Chan by picking them up at the airport and caring for their needs throughout the night. They were a bit airsick and their plane arrived late, but we made the night work in their favor with a lot of behind-the-scenes touches that honored their investment to come and share their gifts.

Note - Francis Chan, award-winning author and internationally known speaker... is carrying his daughter's guitar. This is one of my favorite shots, because the "big names on the big stage" are real people who are the real deal. When they came off the plane, in fact, Rachel said (with pure tongue-in-cheek sass), "Hi, I'm Rachel Chan. This is my father, Francis."

Speaking of the real deal, this is an intentionally blurry-action shot of some of the family members of those serving just loving on one another. Seriously, how cool is that? Every person's kid is "every person's kid."

Another behind-the-scenes shot... instead of yapping on the phone or drifting into their own world in the "green room," the speakers and musicians sit behind the curtain as they get ready to go on stage... and actually pay attention to the message being shared on stage. I love this kind of unnoticed honoring one another - which I thankfully noticed.

One of my favorite shots - while walking Francis Chan to a speaking opportunity, we passed by his face on a stick. I egged him on to take a picture with it, and several camera phones (including mine) captured this intentionally ridiculous shot.

Yes... confessionally, another personal highlight is SYMC lets a shmoe named Tony Myles share from his heart. Just another example of how they look beyond the usual faces and names to unearth new perspectives. I really enjoyed the opportunity this gave me to listen and love on those in my seminar track.

Another unnoticed moment - Jon Acuff delivered a penetrating message about how we can let one voice spoil the applause of thousands. He then came off the stage to thunderous applause, sitting in his chair as composed and completely professional as you'd expect. He seemed to be doing the usual thing speakers do as they leave the stage - mentally unpacking the past few moments as he honors what's next with his attention. He stayed in that mode for moments, until his young daughter climbed onto his lap and told him he did a good job. Then... he melted.

Apparently the math works both ways - the whisper of a loving voice can drown out the thunderous applause of thousands... just as it should.

Party in the suite - a special moment for the SYMC "in the trenches" volunteer team as they love on one another mid-conference.Goofy awards and more fueled this fun time of community.

Spontaneous prayer for one another in the name of Jesus. This is what it's all about, isn't it? Yet another example of this conference being from youth workers, for youth workers.

I hope you'll join me and 3,000 other youth workers as we make some new memories together this year at SYMC in Indianapolis. I'll be doing some more speaking, but I hope be doing even more listening, watching and learning. Let's hang out!


Simply Youth Ministry Conference 2012: Louisville, KY

spiritual arm wrestling

Enjoying this as positive news, but reminded that debates are just that - debates.

The former Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams, defeated prominent atheist professor, Richard Dawkins, in a debate at the University of Cambridge in England on Thursday night, as a vote taken at the conclusion of the debate ruled that religion does have a place in the 21st century.

The debate motion that "religion has no place in the 21st Century" was well-defeated at the event held in front of an audience of about 800 people, mostly students, at the Cambridge Union Society's chambers, according to the U.K.'s Independent newspaper. Dawkins lost the debate by 324 votes to 136, as he failed to convince the house that religion has no place.

As a college prof of mind once shared, "A person convinced against his will is of the same opinion still."

Perhaps there is still room for real conversation... and real transformation.

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." (Ephesians 6:12)

clear the mechanism

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him.”
(Lamentations 3:22-24)

Clear the mechanism.

Renew your connection with God.

This is not about ignoring the crowd and calling them "haters," because that would be too easy to do in theory yet entirely impossible to do in practice. Far too often we deny the impact we have on the crowd and the impact the crowd has on us.

Rather, we must think appropriately and soberly through the chaos. By restoring the most important Relationship in your life - the one you have with Him - you can face the world as you should, able to take the mound and make your best pitch, no matter the voices around you. Praying for you and I on this today.

an honest, gutsy spiritual growth plan - pt 2

Buckle up - this is part two. Go read part one if you haven't.

After asking the questions from before, now what? What’s the plan? Will you avoid nudges from God or radically throw yourself in the direction He’s pointing you, any way you can? Who will you tell so that you actually follow through all year? What will you do today?

Enough questions... start running the bases.

You’re likely familiar with how a baseball diamond works. Use it as a metaphor to grow - as the "bases of Fully-Alive Living":

• H: Christ – come as you are to Him today, and make Him your Savior/Lord over the direction and details of your life.
  
  
• 1: Character – let the Holy Spirit “have at you” from the inside-out as you put Him first in all things.... not just first, but first in all things.
  
  
• 2: Church community – grow w/others in large, medium and small gatherings.Why? Because you have blind spots, and only others can see them. A church is meant to nurture those with encouragement and truth.
  
  
• 3: Calling – find your “circle” of gifting and influence.
  
  
• H: Christ – home plate comes around again, just like you need to take another step with Him, including intentionally sharing Him with others you can help “run the bases.”
  
  
• Baselines: This journey isn’t just about the defining moments when you feel you’re “on base,” but also the journey that gets you there. You’ll need to invest into people, programs and practices that will help you keep moving forward while you help them keep moving forward.

Here's the deal - you have to run these bases in the right order. The world runs it backward. Don’t fall for the trap of putting work/ministry ahead of community, community (church) ahead of character, or character (morality) ahead of Christ. God isn’t just looking for “good people” who do “good things” – come as you are, take your next step with Him, and BE the Church.

Today's step: Take this all in, and take on whatever it takes on what you sense God is saying or guiding you to do next.

"Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose." (Philippians 2:12)

an honest, gutsy spiritual growth plan - pt 1

I waited a month to share this with you.

We all know January 1st is full of great intentions that often go nowhere past the first week. Now that it's February, it's time for a spiritual growth plan that you might actually stick with. Every day can be hectic, and sometimes our best intentions get lost. You can recover them and the life God intended for you with a plan and process to draw closer to Him. (James 4:8)

Let's begin by asking some good questions you're willing to be honest about:

• What words would I use to describe who God was to me five years ago? Has anything changed since then? Should it have?
  
  
• When I pray, what do I pray about? How do I listen to God?
  
  
• What does it look like for me to really care about other Christians?
  
  
• How will I grow in my love for people who don’t yet know Christ?
  
  
• Am I giving God what’s right or what’s left financially?
  
  
• In what areas of my life am I making excuses?
  
  
• In what ways is God bearing some real fruit/change in me?
  
  
• Do I really care about the Bible? Do I believe God speaks through it? Will I memorize any particular Scriptures?
  
  
• What’s my attitude toward church or spiritual leadership?
  
  
• What music/songs resonate with my soul?
  
  
• With whom do I need to go back and “make things right?”
  
  
• What is one area of my life I’ve become stronger this year?
  
  
• How do I settle for the appearance of growth/accountability that needs to go deeper and wider to really make a difference?

Here's one more that ties those together:

• Who am I trying to speak in generalities with because I don't want them to know the specifics of how I'm really doing?

Today's step: Talk to that person, and share how you answered those questions.
See you tomorrow for Part 2.

"Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded." (James 4:8)

faithfulness - A.K.A. tough obedience

Thought for today:

When you don't want to do something God-honoring and healthy that requires hard work you don't feel like putting in, be careful that you don't seek out others who will only affirm what you're already thinking. There's always someone to tell you you're right and the concept is crazy.

Nonetheless, follow Jesus. He's always been wiser than anything we could come up with... even though we often convince ourselves that we'll just slide off the other way and pretend like we didn't hear Him.

Then Jesus said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." (Luke 9:23)

gut check: a quick audit

Gut check of the day:

• Your Google search history is a glimpse into your heart.
  
  
• Your bank statement is a glimpse into your priorities.
  
  
• Your calendar is a glimpse into your intentions.

Question:

• When you call God "God," does He reply back, "You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means." 

book review: Masterpiece

Official review for YouthWorker Journal about Masterpiece: The Art of Discipling Youth by Paul Martin (The Youth Cartel):

Every once in a while a book comes along that says the things you've unconsciously been thinking but afraid to consciously consider. Paul Martin has created such a "Masterpiece" that is nothing short of penetrating wisdom on alternatives to traditional discipleship. Your church may not like this book, especially if it's asking you to gauge your success in ministry through tangible benchmarks. While fruit should be evaluated, Martin paints a revitalizing picture of what it practically means for you to be faithful in ministry, yet let the true results be beyond your skills and abilities.

The problem is if you buy into this it will cause you to kick at the tires of your job security, abandon some favorite ministry tricks and potentially revamp the front page of your youth group web pages to show what's really going on in the lives of teenagers. Ironically, this is all scandalously refreshing: Jesus informs my presence; my presence informs my relationships; my relationships inform my process, and my process informs my programs... which aren't always as necessary as I think they are. What if we left behind the era of manipulating students to pray a salvation prayer or ask WWJD and instead redeemed our calling to help them discover their created identity in Christ?

Sign me up.

As Martin accurately argues his own counter-point, we can't abandon the concept of external results since students need to see the fruit of change in their own lives. The difference is instead of aiming for it with a cookie-cutter they have to stand in, we embrace the hard and difficult task of loving them along the journey. Perhaps as we do we'll rediscover the kind of conversation, change and freedom that discipleship not only messily births but absolutely requires.

4 questions to realign your life

Are you trying to give the world energy you don't have?

Maybe you do have it, but it's misaligned.

We often tend to live against the grain of who God created us to be, even when we're doing the things we think He wants us to do. At times a realignment means a change in circumstances, but often it's an internal shift that changes how you approach those very same circumstances. It's a process of uncovering the "created you" you were meant to be and can be, which in turn means personally unearthing what Jesus meant when He said, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." (Luke 9:23) 

One of the biggest culprits is in thought patterns we live by. For some strange reason even Christians will say we will do something because "I have a peace about it." Strangely, God didn't call us to feel at ease with what we do. Our ministry on earth often means doing whatever will bring life to others, for often  the Lord calls us into chaos to bring peace.

This is why your quiet time with God matters more than you give it credit for. Especially in today's culture, you're likely more "active" than ever before, often at the expense of the ancient practice of contemplation. Parker Palmer, author of "Let Your Life Speak," shares this great thought:

True self, when violated, will always resist us, sometimes at great cost, holding our lives in check until we honor its truth.

Vocation does not come from willfulness. It comes from listening. I must listen to my life and try to understand what it is truly about quite apart from what I would like it to be about – or my life will never represent anything real in the world, no matter how earnest my intentions.

Vocation does not mean a goal that I pursue. It means a calling that I hear. Before I can tell my life what I want to do with it, I must listen to my life telling me who I am. I must listen for the truths and values at the heart of my own identity, not the standards by which I must live — but the standards by which I cannot help but live if I am living my own life.  - Parker Palmer

To clarify what this means, Palmer has stated, "I would be lost in the dark without the light Christianity sheds on my life, the light I find in truths like incarnation, grace, sacrament, forgiveness, blessing, and the paradoxical dance of death and resurrection."

If you resonate with how your life needs to resonate, here are some key questions to ask to better align your life "as is" into what you were actually created for:

Where is the life/joy?

• What are your reactions to life?
• When was the last time you felt joyful, be it through an experience, conversation, event, movie, etc? Did you pay attention to it at the time?
• When does a surge of energy/enthusiasm come into you? (Pay attention to it next time.)
• Where are you assuming you are doing the right thing because it feels peaceful. Might you have settled for false peace versus working toward a peace beyond understanding that might require doing what's difficult?

Where is the impact/fruit?

• 1 Peter 4:2 clarifies that our lives are not merely for ourselves, for a Christian "does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God."
• Jesus reminds us in John 15 that what is publicly birthed out of our life is directly related to what we do behind closed doors.
• How have you avoided fruit in one area of your life because you feel productive in another area?

Where is the affirmation?

• Who is someone who speaks into your life and won't tell you what you want to hear?
• What are the projects or places you are at ease with what needs to be done?
• How are you able to do things others seem unable to do?
• Where are you bumping into God on things He is resisting you on?

What is your character like when you are and aren't doing something significant?

• You have cracks in your character. What is the break-up in your make-up?
• Where are you demanding people just need to "understand you" instead of you doing the hard work of growing up?
• When you're sitting around waiting for the next "battle," what's happening inside of you?

If you want to become clearer on the path God has you on, take those questions in personally as well as with others who will share the journey with you.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him,and he will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5-6)

a healthier alternative to something that doesn't work anyway

Who have you "unfriended" lately for telling you something you didn't want to hear... but needed to?

When have you gone silent to try to avoid drama without realizing a real conversation would have led to healing the drama altogether?

What is something you think you've left in the past, but when you're around someone you realize it's still very much a part of the present as all the shields get raised in your spirit?

Consider God's pathway of reconciliation versus avoidance. In the wise words of my wife, "It takes too much energy to be fake than it does to be real."


Don't just talk about being "real and raw" but then hide when productive pushback happens.

"Better to be criticized by a wise person than to be praised by a fool." (Ecclesiastes 7:5)