what success requires

Success is not an accident.
Success is a choice.

That's a powerful thought that's floating around.

 

Consider the example of Steph Curry:

"I’ve always been a believer that the Lord has put whatever talent in you, [and] whatever gift He has put in you, He wants you to get the most out of that. He wants you to succeed; He wants you to pursue and work and be passionate about it. It’s not about getting any of the glory for yourself; it’s all for His [glory]. That’s where you have to keep perspective. Work at it and do all you can so you get the most out of yourself, but do it for His will." - FCA interview

What are you doing with the opportunities in front of you?

"Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever." (1 Corinthians 9:25)

hang in there

Remember that time Indiana Jones rode a Nazi submarine hoping it wouldn't submerge?

And then later on... we see him again in action.
 So... your crazy thing?

Hang in there.

You got this... and even if you don't, how epic it would be to go out trying something epic?

One thing is clear is that God's got you.

Even when you're surrounded by opposition, He is the one thing you can always hang onto.

"Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. " (Psalm 27:14)

the blind spot of the almost-committed

Are you committed?

Consider the problem of not being all in.

Until one is committed there is hesitancy...

the chance to draw back...

always ineffectiveness concerning all acts of initiative and creation. 

There is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans... 

that the moment one definitely commits oneself then providence moves too. 

All sorts of things occur to help one that would never have otherwise occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance which no man or woman could have dreamt would have come his way. 

I have learned a deep respect for one of Goethe's couplets - "'Whatever you can do - or dream,you can - begin it . Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.'"

- W.H. Murray

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men. (Colossians 3:23)

tangible ambition

Tangible ambition matters.

The moment that you finally forge your sense of ambition will give sudden clarity to the remaining moments of your life. 

Without that moment, you will continually think of yourself as an outsider to everything everyone else seems like an insider on. You will be a victim.

With that moment, you will begin to put your jabs together and form combinations that will give you a shot at the title. You will be a victor.

Ambition gets you off your side of the chasm and onto the bridge of discipline...

and discipline gets you over the chasm and onto the side of life you want to live on.

So...

what's your next right thing to do?

"For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord." (Ephesians 5:8-10)

why you don't like love

Consider...

You and I don’t like love. 

Even when we know what it is, we'd rather have something easier than love. We are addicted to the feelings love creates and will mistake the two, even when we think they know the difference.

Love looks chaos in the eye and enters in. It is sacrificial, and ferociously full of gentle grace. It can somehow speak the truth without keeping a record of wrongs. It's kind when there are justifiable reasons to be unkind. It looks for a reason to lay down even more roots, and even more roots after that, and even more roots after that.

Love inspires even after having been perspired.

Love thinks outside-the-box while staying inside-the-box.

Love "believes it" before it "sees it."

Love gives impatience the middle finger.

We don't want that. We want the experience without paying for it. We want to order the steak and hope the waiter picks up the bill.

It’s ridiculous.

"Love never fails." (1 Corinthians 13:8a)

sing sing sing

Did you know there are more than one-thousand references to music in the Bible?

In fact, the most reiterated command over and over in Scripture is to “sing.”

Seriously… “sing.”

Maybe that’s on purpose.

I like what songwriter Rich Mullins said about it:

“When you find a command that is easy to follow (and fun to follow) you should follow it a lot, because not all of them are that easy. And certainly some of them are less fun than that.”

So...

I dare you to sing out today. 

• Maybe you’ll hear a tune on the radio that speaks your language.
• Perhaps you'll find your hand tapping a rhythm that you're not sure you should give into.
• It could be that it's time to crank up the music after dinner and turn your household into a house party.

 Pick something with incredible lyrics... or just find a good beat.

God gave you this gift. In fact, make it a point to bring this attitude into wherever you attend a church service this weekend. Whether or not your church experience feels like a mirror that just reflects your particular preferences, desires, and dreams… SING!

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.

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)

the ad of your life

Sometimes it takes a history lesson to redirect our future.

Ernest Shackleton was one of England’s famous explorers of the frigid Antarctica. His took great risks in life (often to his detriment), but his greatest accomplishment was the preservation of his crew after his ship “Endurance” became frozen in ice and eventually collapsed into frigid water.

Much has been written about how he kept the men alive on ice floes for 497 days before finally setting food on land. Shackleton even gave up his own gloves to a photographer he brought with and consequently suffered extensive frostbite.

What you may not realize is this epic story all started with his epic selection of the Endurance crew. He handpicked some members, including two who had served him faithfully on a previous expedition. To recruit the rest, he posted the following notice:

Men wanted for hazardous journey. Small wages. Bitter cold. Long months of complete darkness. Constant danger. Safe return doubtful. Honour and recognition in case of success.

- Ernest Shackleton, Antarctic explorer

Shackelton placed this ad in the London newspaper, hoping to assemble a team of willing, able-bodied men who were prepared for the rigors, risks, and hardships of a lengthy and arduous journey to the Antarctic.

What would be your answer to such an opportunity?

As the story goes, thousands of men responded... which means Shackleton had to turn thousands of men away, and at least three women.

On that note, consider the last time you were offered something so epic. Doesn’t it seem like the "ad" life hands you every day (hidden underneath all the banter you hear and headlines you read) is as follows:

People wanted to not offend anyone. The appearance of peace promised (although actual peace withheld). Fake smiles. Everybody minding their own business. Long seasons of neutrality. Consistent loss or consistent morality. Safe relationships without real accountability. Applause for liking things.

- Broken humanity

What would be your answer to such an opportunity?

The truth is you respond to this invitation in how you live, and it feels like most people opt for it by default. Take a look at what you're putting out there in conversation and online... we say we want to have a genuine life, and yet we spend so much time hoping to not cause waves and have people figure out our deepest secrets.

And think about what you want everyone to get along - might that be somewhat about you not wanting to be judged yourself?

Some time ago I heard another “ad” that I responded to with my life. Jesus Christ said it this way:

“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." (Luke 9:23)

"If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. (John 15:19)

"For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them." (Matthew 13:15)

"I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." (Luke 15:10)

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)

Either you just read a bunch of Bible verses, or you heard an invitation that caused your heart to respond.

Admittedly, I didn’t respond to it right away. I thought I had, but really I’d confused looking at Him with following Him. Perhaps you know what I mean.

Everybody says they want to make a difference in the world, yet only a few people want to be different than the world. Perhaps that’s why Shackelton made sure a crewman grabbed a violin so there would be music on the ice floe that would inspire them beyond survival mode.

It's not enough to wake up and get through each day - you have to have something to live for. Let it be the One who offers the only Life that lasts.

Jesus' offer is not limited to 27 people, but for anyone who would receive it. Maybe it’s time you really got on board, too?

the 50/100/200 principle

It's brilliant, isn't it?

I'm talking about Jesus' teaching on how far we're called to go beyond what's sensible. In case you don't know it, here's the guts of it:

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you" (Matthew 5:38-42)

Before I get to the application, consider the context: God introduced the concept of “an eye for an eye” when the Jews had just left the oppression of Egypt and were wandering in the desert.  Like many of the commands He gave at that time, this one shielded the Jews from acting in haste on issues that they might become passionate about, such as exacting revenge that exceeded how they had been wronged. By practicing patience, an individual would see the big picture and ideally not seek punishment to a crime that was more than exactly equal to it.

Over the years the Jews lost sight of this original intent and began to utilize it legalistically. By the time Jesus ministered on earth he had to uproot how the concept had become a sense of entitlement. People would create loopholes in God’s commands through additional laws they created that let them strike back through lawsuits, attacks, slander and financial oppression. Jesus countered that being offended or having someone ask something of you should never get in the way of  displaying God’s grace and character relationally. To cap it off, His final illustration involved going an extra mile beyond what was legally required if a Roman soldier demanded a Jewish male carry a heavy burden for him.

On that note, consider the 50/100/200 principle:

• The average person says they expect a 50/50 relationship with things that matter.
• Example, "If I call up _______ and ask for _________, I expect they'll meet me half-way at helping me get what I need."
• The average person actually assumes a 100% response to their 50% effort. 
• Example, "I called up _______ and left a message, so now it's up to them to call me. I'm not calling them again. I did my part and this frustration of not getting in contact with someone better be apologized for. Why isn't there better communication that fits within the scope of my world?"
• Jesus calls Christians to bless others with a 200% "extra mile" effort.
• Example, "I knew who to call and when to reach them because they've made it so easy to know these things. When they did call me, it wasn't just to meet my request but to find out if I had anything else happening they could serve me in. I was valued as a person."

Disney World is one of many companies that prides itself on going the extra mile for customers. Years ago, Avis Rent-A-Car likewise once confessed it was the #2 car company which meant they would try that much harder to be #1. Chick-Fil-A is another company that seems to go over the top to add those little touches to customers, from the cashier's attitude to the inch-gap they leave on the door to the play area so kids don't stub their toes.

It's why one of the newer catchphrases around our church leadership team is to do the "200%" thing. Here's why:

• It's mathematically impossible to go beyond 100%. That means that for this to happen it has to be a "beyond you" effort... God has to be involved.
  
• Some people care about these extra touches. While others are more laid back about a number of things, the other half of the population cares about details and commitment. They will literally have the thing God is trying to grow in them spoiled if something is not attended to. This can't be ever perfectly handled, but it can be addressed.

I like the sound of a church community committed to doing what they can't do so that people take note of what only God can do. Life change doesn't take place within what's expected but in the context of what's exceeded.

"Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men." (Ephesians 6:7)

defining a relationship we'd rather not define

It's common to struggle with commitment and definition of where things are at in any relationship. But how about this one:

Andy and Grace met through a mutual friend. From day one they seemed to be the perfect match. Grace was everything Andy had always wanted. She was beautiful, outgoing, and caring—always there when Andy needed her.


For the first five months they were inseparable. Andy could hardly think of anything but Grace. He didn’t need to look further, he told friends, ‘She’s the one’.


Now almost three years have passed. Andy still enjoys the familiarity of being with Grace, but the spark is gone. Grace’s flaws seem more obvious. He’s not sure he finds her as attractive as he once did. He’s sure there’s a better option out there.


And he’s beginning to resent all the time she wants to spend with him. One night when she asks if they can define the nature of their relationship, Andy blows up. ‘We’re together, aren’t we?’ he asks angrily. ‘Why isn’t that enough for you?’


Obviously, Andy isn’t ready for a commitment. And it’s unclear if he ever will let himself be.

---

You need to know something about the couple.

There are millions of Andys walking around today.

And Grace isn’t a girl. Grace is a church.

- From "Stop Dating The Church: Fall In Love With The Family Of God" by Joshua Harris

Did you see that one coming?

More importantly, did it describe you or a trend you see in others?

Many of us have been just like Andy. We've treated the local church like a someone we want to string along,  keeping a presence there just enough to maintain the relationship, but never a real investment to see the beauty of what commitment could bring out.

That’s because it’s easier to date than it is to be in a marriage – to spend hours with someone at dinner or doing something special is easy. But to make a “for better or for worse” commitment is hard. That means living with them when you're grumpy, they're sleepy, you're sick, they're worried, you're struggling, and they're disappointed.

"Andy" is a perfectionist with the church - first she was all that, and then she was nothing.

• Some of her faults are really hers. Nobody’s perfect, and the better we get to know each other, the more we learn how much that’s true.
• Her other faults, however, are more in him than in her. The standards he applies to her he doesn't apply to himself.

Andy just wants to hang on to the relationship for the comfort it gives him, but he’s so independent and critical that he’d never think to commit to her. He’s looking for the best product… but isn’t willing to make an investment.

Is your relationship with your church one you'd rather not define? Or is it one you're "all in" on and putting in the effort to make sure the "family" is the healthiest it could possibly be?