THE WAY I SEE IT

CONTINUE...

2011-01-15T18:32:00.000-08:00

Too often I determine my spiritual growth by where I am camped out on the 'mountain' instead of how God determines our my change; by the very fact that I am still climbing.

I've been pretty intrigued my Everest lately. I've watched a couple of documentaries and even other climbing pieces. And ignoring for a few minutes that the proverbial parallels of living life and climbing mountains have pretty much been rung dry, there is an observation I've made that I think is worth sharing. Its not noteworthy just when you summit a mountain. Its also quite noteworthy when you give everything you have in the pursuit of summit-ting a mountain. To quote the cute disney star turned pop diva Mylie Cyrus, "Its not about how fast I get there...It's not about what's waiting on the other side...It's the climb!"

Philippians 2:12 says '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.' The key word here is...Continue. Paul was either casually mentioning something we all think is good (to never stop discovering God and who you are in Him) or maybe addressing a negative behavior! Either way...most of us need to hear this!

Going back to what I said in the beginning, its a very convenient yet fatal mistake to consider yourself changed (and therefore having discovered all God is and who you are in Him) based on where you are on the 'mountain'. Its easy to do. You look around and there aren't many climbers on the upper part of the mountain. Many...most are at most a couple camps up from base-camp laughing and enjoying there jouney! And why shouldn't you enjoy every step of the way - you've made it this far. So you set up camp...and get comfortable; never climbing higher than the safe majority. That is not a heart being changed by Him.

God calls us to a dangerous yet very powerfully worthwhile climb...where we are never finished and though there is comfort, joy and rest beyond our imagination, we never really camp! Sure its safe and comfy but the challenge and risk are worth it...He is worth it!

CONTINUE!

Keep on obeying when it doesn't make sense. Keep on trusting Him when its hard. Keep on loving others when it hurts. keep on discovering who He is and who you are in Him. There is more than you could image. (see Philippians 3:14)

Radical?

2010-11-13T08:22:00.000-08:00

So I am reading the book "Radical" by David Platt and it has been challenging and refreshing hearing someone speak of the church and christians in the way I believe many people think but don't say! I recommend every christian read it.

But his title is all wrong! I like David and I know I've never written much less titled a book but I think calling this book 'radical' just continues the trend of reserving the level of commitment to Christ that God desires for the few! If I am radical about something then there are people who are normatively enthusiastic about it! It's different than a sports fan and a sports fan with 7 fantasy league teams! Genuine "christianity" and biblical commitment to God is an all or nothing standard, there is one ruler, you are or you aren't.

I understand the process of sanctification and growth that leads us to know and trust God more. I understand that today, at this moment not all followers of Christ (I would include my self) are not entirely at the genuine, biblical commitment level that God desires for us all, but my problem is this: we tend to reserve a camp for those believers mid-way up the mountain and call them climbers.

I think the name of the book should be 'Normal'.

I'm sure David and his publishing company didn't intend for me to feel this way - but in many ways I am growing more and more tired to calling base-camp my destination and me a climber! I want to know what all God has for me and to know all His is - or at least I want...to want it!! I happen to believe that all believers are called to same genuine, biblical (normal for us) level of commitment...OUR LIVES! Anything short of this is not genuine or biblical Christianity!

It may be radical to the world, but it is normal for those of us who've been changed by Him!

GOD CEO

2010-09-20T06:20:00.000-07:00

I love the show Undercover Boss on CBS; maybe because I love organizational leadership executed by a sharp executive that is willing to sacrifice personally in order to better his company!

I see the same kind of thing happening in Matthew 21:33-46 in Jesus' story of the tenants! A landowner (God) builds a vineyard and rents it out to farmers (us who serve in the Church) then sends servants (likely: prophets, scripture, the Holy Spirit and Jesus) to check on the fruit of the 'vineyard'. We see servants and the landowner's son being killed by corrupt tenants and verse 43 says that the 'Kingdom of God will be taken from those who do not produce fruit and given to a people who will produce its fruit.'

God does a couple things as CEO/Landowner in this story that really unpack all He is able and willing to do as God to see that his tenants/laborers see the fruit of the gospel. God has sacrificed heavily for and continues to demand production! God, as the builder of this thing we work for, has given His son and is investing still by giving us His Holy Spirit. And He guarantees that He will remove influence and kingdom growth from anyone corrupt and not bearing kingdom fruit.

Meaning: God honors those who work hard to see His kingdom grow and He is not a God that sits lofty in a leather chair surrounded leather bound books in an office that smells of rich mahogany....!

Hebrews 4:15 - For we do not have a high priest (CEO) who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet was without sin.

Bible Study tips

2010-09-02T05:55:00.001-07:00

Some Bible Study tips I am freshening up on:

2 steps to Understanding:

1. The more you read before and after a given passage, the more completely you will understand about what is said. (ie - 1 Corinthians 11:27-32 - "unity")
2. Work outward for better understanding: 'Word' to 'immediate context' to 'rest of book' to 'different books by same author' to 'different author on same topic' to 'all of new/old testament'

4 steps to Application:

1. What did it mean to them? (historical analysis)
2. What are the cultural difference? (recognize exceptions and barriers from then to now and from there to here)
3. What is the theological Principle? (general truth that is timeless and congruent w/ the rest of scripture)
4. What is the application? (based on steps 1-3, determine how you should behave)

Living "this" is better than knowing "that"!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

How to Obey God When You Can't...

2010-09-01T06:50:00.001-07:00

God made you. He is perfectly aware of what you are and what you are not capable of. Sometimes that means that you will never be asked or impassioned to do anything that doesn't come naturally to you and sometimes......it doesn't!

Basically: can you do a Hard Thing for the glory of God even when you are, all things considered, not capable of doing that thing? You're not good at it - you are nervous - you are scared - you've never done it before - you're too young - too old - too ______!

I think we learn something big in the story if Gideon. His limitation: allowed by God only a 300-man army versus a countless multitude (Judges 7) when 22,000 were available to him! Here's the point, we will all experience limitations when it comes to obeying God or acting on our God-given passions! And the kicker is...God set those limitations on you...knowing what he wound request of you and what your passions would demand of you one day.

So here is how you obey God when you can't _____. Do the 80% you ARE capable of and trust God for the 20% you are (naturally) incapable of. Your 80% may be just showing up, making the phone call, standing up to someone or simply entertaining the idea of trusting God! But do your part and lean on Him!

I've heard that "If you can easily picture yourself accomplishing your dreams, you don't have God-sized dreams" and the way I see it in scripture is if God calls you to do something you can't do, He expects (even desires) to get involved and get glory only He deserves in the first place!

(Gideon and the Israelites won by the way!)

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Is the Church about the church?

2010-08-24T06:15:00.000-07:00

So I've been reading the bio of Dietrich Bonhoeffer and his reflections of the American Church in the 20s as a 24 year old have made an impact of me! he writes:

"The Union (seminary) students talk a blue streak without the slightest substantive foundation and with no evidence of any criteria...they are unfamiliar with even the most basic questions. They have become intoxicated with liberal and humanistic phrases, laugh at the fundamentalists...In New York they preach about virtually everything; only one thing is not addressed...the gospel of Jesus Christ..." He goes on to talk about large churches and describe them as "charitable and social corporations" instead of a "congregation of believers in Christ."

My question: Is it all that different today? My fear is that 'the Church is about the church' and by that I mean that God's people generally speaking are most concerned with the success of their local context (the local church as a social or charitable corporation) instead of being most concerned with sharing the gospel Jesus and disciple-ing people!

What if local churches cared most about telling the story of Jesus and about people? First of all, it would finally give context for the social and charitable behavior of a church that it no doubt must have. Its an issue, I think, of trust and priority as local church leaders. I will put 1st things 1st and trust God for what 'success' looks like for my local context!

more than TOMS

2010-08-10T13:28:00.001-07:00

In the past year, I've read several books this year with a common thread of 'do something GREAT with your life' and besides wanting to change the world after reading each book, I end with a dilemma...is it better to do 'GREAT things' or to do the everyday things with GREATness? (This is partly to make me feel better that the 'GREATest' I've done for the world lately is sponsor 1 kid for about $30 a month and bought a pair of TOMS for my wife.)

But I read books and see movies of real men and women who changed the world, their country, even the life of a friend and I have to be honest; I get bored with my day-to-day sometimes and I want to give my whole life to something and specifically, something that God is doing. These heros give up everything from safety and convenience to money and even their life so someone else could live (better). What I forget is that these GREAT people lived ordinary lives before and sometimes after their time in the spot light. And I realize its not a question of choosing either moderately important things with GREATness or doing GREAT things with my life but more about being willing to exercise the same sacrifice when I have the opportunity!

So I will read fewer 'how-to change the world' books and more stories of ordinary people who seized opportunities to die so someone else could live! Meanwhile, I wait for opportunities to give my hour, day and life to something GREAT God would call me to!

new post: RUNNING WITH LIL-E

2010-07-25T21:51:00.000-07:00

So I went running with Lil-E our dog with a rapper's name! I didn't want to mainly because it's just inconvenient and i cant just focus on running!

After one mile-lap down and two to go and my wife's suggestion "run with the dog - she would love it!" was ringing in my ear the whole time, I had psyched myself up. After all, who DOESNT want to be able to run with their dog (unless you have one of those dress up purse dogs, then YOU dont!) But I have a great running, fetching dog that just needs needs some training and she is my dream dog!

Well I thought of a few very LIFE-CHANGING PRINCIPLES while running with her tonight.

1. THE EXTRA EFFORT AT THE BEGINNING PAYS OFF IN THE END! Its easy to be lazy and tell yourself you are ok with the health, energy, relationships, etc you currently have. but besides lying to yourself, there is nothing wrong with that - but no one truly wants it - they (me) just aren't willing to put in the extra effort on the front-end of life because we forget that a little extra effort, say training your dog to run side you, will result in the long-term satisfaction of a well trained running partner!

2. GO OUT OF YOUR WAY TO DO LIFE WITH OTHER PEOPLE! Not as a whole - no one can do that besides Tom Hanks and even he had a volleyball, but we (I) too often escape opportunities to involve or include someone else in my meals, experiences, my life. We do this because its just easier; less messy; more convenient and we have more control. its disgustingly more complicated to be around people than to be alone but as with principle number 1, its far worth mess and the risk to "run" with others!

3. MY WIFE IS RIGHT far more often than she is wrong!

1 ALL-STAR + 1 ALL-STAR = 2 ALL-STARS??

2010-07-09T09:51:00.000-07:00

LeBron is joining forces with another all-star, and a couple other very talented B-list ball players in South Beach as a Heat!

As exciting as it appears, this actually makes me a bit nervous and a good friend of mine worded it well when he said "Heat games will now be either very exciting or very boring!" He and I both agree that an all-star plus another all-star doesn't always equal two all-stars!

Though I plan on attending Mavs v Heat games in the future and hope for my own viewing please that I'm wrong, I fear that having three strong talented players and leaders on one starting offense might actually water down their drive and the show we are all used to seeing from D Wade and the King! This feeling was affirmed when I heard LeBron say, "it removes the pressure to go out there and score 30 every night!" Don't great stars need that to be...great stars?!

My only hope for the new Heat franchise is a small resemblance the starting 5 have to the Jordan, Pippen and Rodman Bulls - but im still not convinces that the scenarios are similar enough!

Time will tell but as for now, I anticipate watching a Mav v Heat game in the American Airline Area in Dallas!

Moral Obligation vs "How?"

2010-07-05T08:02:00.000-07:00

You know those great things you have always wanted to do with your life - they are the things you get more serious about as time goes on until you just have to do something about it! Maybe they show up each year as new years resolutions but you dont say it out loud because then you would have to do something about it! For me, going into student ministry was one of those things and I've had several since but lately something else has been added to this 'really important to-do list'! I'm not going to tell you what it is now (because it still scares me to say it out loud) but I will say its bigger than hiking and camping the Grand Canyon (which i really want to do)! I would even say that this thing is creeping its way into my life as a Moral Obligation! Something I (...eventually) MUST do!!

but I have an enemy!

Of course, what thing worth doing or blogging about wouldn't have obstacle! Would Luke S. rescue of the known galaxy have been worth watching if it were not for a dramatic, death-defying dual with his biological enemy! No story is worth writing unless a hero is pit against a worthy villain forcing an audience to question: 'how will he do it?!" Fortunately, I do not have a mortal arch-enemy but just as powerful of an obstacle is this 3-letter word:

"how?"

My biggest problem with "how?" is that you can't blame it! its irresponsible not to ask it but Im beginning to think that this enemy has held many before me back from living a life of Moral Obligation worth reading, writing...or blogging about! Time, money, talent, luck, opportunity, energy all need to be in question but I've noticed the second I don't a good answer, I've lost and my really important task gets pushed back to next January's 'really important to-do list'.

As a Christian, I should have an advantage. I trust that, at some point, it is the Holy Spirit of God that puts things like this in my head and in my heart and therefore I can trust God to help provide, protect and all that good stuff but it still leaves my enemy without a great explanation many times! I desire to honor God and give Him glory with my life and may just need to trust Him in a way I've never had to before...simple enough...

...to be continued.

Salty

2010-06-21T10:34:00.000-07:00

In the New Testament the word 'salt' is almost synonymous with 'peace'. In almost ever verse where salt is mentioned dealing with our influence in the world, the word peace immediately follows!

We know that salt adds flavor and preserves and we as believers have been called to do both! And it's interesting to notice a big part of having the influence Christ leads us to have as salt is almost directly related to being peacemakers!

So how do we make/keep peace? Well there are a few ideas that seem to show up around each mention of peace and salt.

The first, vengance is God's.
Romans 12:18,19 says, '...as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge...leave room for God's wrath.'

The second, be in unity.
2 Corinthians 13:11 tells us '...be of one mind, live in peace...'

And last, have a high standard of love.
1 Thessalonians 5:13 says 'hold them in the highest regard in love...Live in peace with each other.'

These are our steps toward being peacemakers and preserving/adding flavor to our world - it's how we are the salt of our world.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

BAD CALL!!

2010-06-18T19:57:00.000-07:00

God is not a referee. But if he were, He would never make a bad call.

If you are a sports fan you probably remember a couple pretty major referee blunders in the past several weeks. The first one I think about is the bad call that stripped a perfect game from a MLB pitcher and the second happened this morning in the FIFA World Cup tourney when USA, while kicking the ball into the net, was called for an obviously nonexistent foul resulting in the loss of the much needed go-ahead goal! Both calls resulted in public ridicule and critique of both the man and the league that hired him!

Here’s my point: …(besides the fact that Instant Replay should be used more often)…One man’s decision, made from a limited vantage point in the heat and speed of play, stole something that an individual and a team is clearly deserving of.

Again, God is not a referee but when it comes to His cosmic responsibilities to ‘give and take away’ ‘bless or curse’ and ‘heal or not heal’, we tend to visualize God dressed in pinstripes with a whistle as the ‘Line Judge’ of our lives. And the very moment we don’t agree with a call or His sovereign judgment, we cry “BAD CALL!! How could possibly understand what I’m going through – that’s unfair – God, do you see what I see?! How could you allow this?!”

But how many times have we heard stories of tragic and seemingly unfair situations bring the exact thing that draws people to God! People have re-prioritized their lives, changed habits and trusted in God for the first time as a result of the most tragic situations imaginable!

So, before we demand an Instant Replay when God does something that seems unfair to us or allows something that we don't deserve, let's look at the facts:

- God sees eternity; not our finite 85-year scope. He sees things from an angle we never will: Psalm 90:4 and 2 Peter 3:8 - For a thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by…and a thousand years are like a day…

- God loves every single human being passionately: Psalm 139 and Matthew 7 – I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made…how precious are your thoughts of me. How vast is the sum of them!...Your heavenly Father feeds the birds and are you not much more valuable than they!

- God is all-powerful, all-knowing and all-present: Matthew 19:26 - …with God all things are possible. 1 John 3:20 - …He (God) knows everything. Jeremiah 23:24 – Can anyone hide in secret places so that I cannot see him?...Do I not fill heaven and earth!” – declares the LORD

Tip: Try being humbled by His sovereignty not threatened or angry! Let the infinite questions make you rest in Him and His love for you.

Top 5 Summer Camp must-dos

2010-06-13T09:59:00.000-07:00

We are heading back from Break Camp 2010 at Camp WOW in Girdy, Ok and after 14 years of camp (half as a camper and half as a leader), I am noticing some things to do everytime on purpose!!

Top 5...

#5: Do camp w/ friends!
Join churches for the sake of an over the top exciting experience for your students. This week I gained a new friend named CM. He brought a small group of students compared to the 60 and 150+ students the other of us brought, because he knew he wanted in a summer camp experience! To be a part of 600+ students worshipping and having fun does something special in the mind and heart of student that God can use to turn them to Him! I joined with my friend's churches and our students made new friends - and it's a blast. At camp it's always more fun w/ more!

#4: Put students in teams!
Few things get student's attentions more than being a part of a "team" - a defined group competing on a healthy level for a prize or common goal! I am never disappointed how excited and creative students get when they are a part/responsible for the fate of 'thier' team! This year we built boats from cardboard and duct tape and divided them in colors and issued them the task of creating a name, cheer and flag! For the 3rd year to do this, we saw body paint, repurposing clothes to support themes, ideas that I NEVER could have come up with! Pride, trophy or candy are great prizes!

#3: Prioritize fun!
For 90% of students, this at least 90% of the reason they signed up in the first place. So much of camp is about building relationships that allow walls like pride and depression to crumble and that's when the truth of God can get through! Nothing builds relationship better that shared experiences...really fun ones! This year, we had skate ramps, waterfront with blob-slide-tubing-zipline, volleyball, basketball, fields full of activities, latenight activities, and more! Our students had fun with leaders and friends and bonds were made and trust was established. I blobbed a sophomore about 10' in the air!

#2: Empower volunteer leaders!
Camp will end. And when it does who better to help continue the week to week ministry of your group than adults that have experienced such a relationally intense like camp. Give as many volunteer 'leaders' (as we call them) as you can a chance to lead and love a group of students! Camp is the epidome of why you delegate your ministry and empower volunteers to grow as leaders. You can't do it anyways! At the end of the week at camp the groups circle up in the auditorium and the leader challenges, encourages and leads communion and every year it's when I get the most jealous - I want that bonding experience!! I quickly realize how selfish that is and then am overwhelmed with joy and pride in our leaders!

#1: Tell the story of the gospel clearly!
If you don't do this, don't do camp! This is the 'ends' and everything else is the 'means'. We would all agree that camp should be a Christian event - the message, attitudes, worship, etc should make that apparent - but a direct invitation to be a part of the Christian life and to trust God for the first time is a must!

I love summer camp!

- aPosted using BlogPress from my iPhone

HOW GOD SAVES

2010-06-07T22:24:00.000-07:00

Salvation depends on the Holy Spirit convicting my heart and spiritually opening my eyes to see, but I believe a few 'dots' connected in a my head, logically, as I accepted Christ. Knowing these can help us pray for and prepare for what God is doing in someone's life.

dot 1. FORFEIT "My way doesn't work."

Romans 7:23, 24

But I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members.What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?

I am controlled more than I realize by a destructive force called Sin. It has gone undetected because sadly it's the norm and is synonymous with living in my flesh. This means that, despite my best efforts, I act selfishly and break things/relationships if left to them long enough. And the same thing that allows my to destroy my own life is what simultaneously rips me away from a relationship with God (separates me from Him) because of a host of lies in the form of shame, pride and fear. My sin by nature of what it is, separates me from God.

dot 2. FORGIVEN "I need someone to pay the debt for my Sin."

Romans 6:23

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

God set up the world to demand a penalty or a sacrificial payment
where there was disobedience to Him. And based on dot #1, I have done that already and desparately need what He has to offer to rescue me from my death penalty. So I don't have to die (though I deserve to) God provided a perfect sacrifice for all people for all time! Only Christ offers true forgiveness for my disobedience and by accepting his death as a substitution for mine, I am forgiven and made righteous and brought back into a good relationship w/ Him!

dot 3. FREE "I am free from the bondage of sin."

Romans 6:6

For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin.

The selfish and sinful lifestyle that I was convinced was true freedom was actually a plastic, fake version of freedom that ultimately results in bondage, addiction and bitterness! By obeying and honoring God out of pure response to who He is and what He has done for me (not because i have to), i experience authentic freedom. Bondage disguises itself in freedom and freedom can get labeled bondage by those who haven't trusted Him yet!

I tend to consider salvation as this completely organic and super unique experience and though HOW it happen may be, WHAT God does in the mind of the person He is drawing to Himself is very clear, specific and biblically consistent.

Also, its necessary that the believer matures past the idea that the Gospel is all about them and into the truth that it is about God getting glory. That God did just 'help you out' but that He is up to something that no one/thing can stop and we worship/know a God whose Glory results in our Good! THAT is a powerfully loving God! That's my God!

ARE YOU A CONTAGIOUS OR DANGEROUS FRIEND?

2010-05-27T06:39:00.000-07:00

He who walks with wise grows wise but a companion of fools suffers harm - Proverbs 13:20.

This nugget of wisdom says more than what i think we see at face value! The first part tell us that wisdom is contagious!

My wife tells the story of a really memorable Easter as a young girl. She and her brother are gearing for Easter a couple weeks before; making church and family plans, shopping for clothes and getting excited about candy - when all of the sudden she gets the Chicken Pox! Well, she freaks out scared to miss out on Easter and literally hours before celebrations and candy, she was diagnosed as healthy! ...But what no one expected was that she had , despite being quarantined the whole time, rubbed off on her brother her case of the Pox! So, literally hours before the celebration and the candy, he was diagnosed as contagious. He would go on to miss Easter and hunting for eggs - truly devastating!

This is the effect wisdom has! Try as hard as you want, but if you spend enough time close enough to wise people, you will grow in wisdom! This is a promise based on a lifetime of observing the ways of God! It will rub off eventually - wisdom is contagious.

The second part of this wisdom nugget tells us that fools are dangerous! This is more of a warning and what is interesting is that Solomon doesn't tell us that we will become foolish, just that we will get hurt! You have seen this...you are with a group of friends and you refuse to do the things they do because, well, its stupid. The problem with that is that you eventually end up in the wrong place at the wrong time and you are guilty by association!

bottom line: its not about participation, its about proximity!

If you are close enough to the...

wise - you will be wise (promise)

fool - you will be hurt (warning)

parts from Andy Stanley's "why cant we be friends" Guardrail series.

PRAYER - silence is golden

2010-05-14T18:26:00.000-07:00

The last thing most people think of when they think about prayer is SILENCE! The idea of silence being important in prayer isn't just rare, it seems rather opposite!

Picture this: Go to God the next time we meet with him (another conversation) with a BLANK sheet of paper and a sheet of paper filled with all your junk, worries and stress. Which sheet do you give to God first in prayer. And if you give him the 'to-do list' sheet, how often do you get around to letting Him speak to you heart (blank sheet)?...not all that often I bet!

What if we looked at prayer not so much as us telling God everything on our mind and heart - but as listening to what God wants to put on our mind and heart?! What if we gave God the blank sheet first and let Him speak to us about what we SHOULD be thinking and praying about?! What if we started our prayers with silence.........?!

Don't assume that you should present everything to God just because you are stressed about it! God knows your needs and may still want to put someone else on your mind, reveal something about Himself that may dwarf your overwhelming issues, or maybe just see how long you can sit in His presence and soak up the fact that you are with the all-powerful creator of the universe!

Let's give Him the BLANK sheet FIRST and trust the Holy Spirit to get to our list if we are supposed to. Let's begin by praising Him, enjoying Him and letting Him speak!

TRY THIS:

- Starting you prayer time with silence or scripture.

- Sense the Spirit leading you to think about certain people or things.

Ways to test if a thought is from God

- seek council about it

- ask 'does this lead to knowing Him or making Him known?'

- ask 'does this line up with the person and purpose of God?'

- Know that God cares about little things

- Go to God with confident reverence. He's bigger than your issues!

- Make prayer a lifestyle/daily conversation

- Be persistent with your prayers and concerns

2009 - Growing

2009-12-23T10:56:00.000-08:00

Its been hands down one of the craziest years for our family and our ministry!...and I mean that in a good way!

I am sitting at the 3^rd coffee shop in the 3rd state in 3 years that represents “home” for me. First it was the Starbucks on Gilbert rd in Mesa, Az, then Aspen Coffee (the best) on Main st in Stillwater, Ok. and now the Arlington Starbucks by my house.

It started at Aspen Coffee in Stillwater where Ryan and I were on a ‘date’ that would set the tone for big change. We began planning and dreaming of what we wanted life to look like and what we believed God wanted life to look like in 5 years. Long story short, on December 31^st 2008, we left the church I was working and she was serving in and moved closer to family in Edmond, OK: I got a good job from a great friend and we paid off some debt. Leaving vocational ministry WAS NOT EASY but we felt it was right! But only 2 months later, we were completely discontent and frustrated; and had even been teased with another opportunity at a great church by an interview that fell in my lap. It didn’t work out. Frustrated further! This began praying and fasting for what the heck we were supposed to do! Did I miss it to leave Stillwater? Are we being weak by considering other positions? We couldn’t tell. God doesn’t speak very clearly to me. It takes time and trusting that what im feeling and thinking is His Spirit’s influence.

So we coasted and finally felt the urge to look for another ministry opportunity to serve and lead like we KNEW we are wired to do! The one resume and the one pastor ‘head-hunter’ we spoke with led us to one Church. A Church that we might not have guessed. Pantego Bible Church in Fort Worth/Arlington, TX and we got acquainted for about 2 months and through a series of interviews and experiences, we were convinced that this would be a great place to grow and began seeing God’s hand in the entire process.

We moved to Arlington, TX and bought a beautiful house where we believe God has brought us to grow in our ministry and as a family for a long while! (While house hunting I actually got a fortune cookie message saying I would buy a house within the next year – the more I think about it, that was probably a political conspiracy that Obama influenced heavily) We are about 30 minutes away from good friends weve known since highschool, Jared and mischalla – and they are pregnant with their first! We live near Six Flags, Hurricane Harbor, the Ballpark at Arlington home of the Ranger and the new Dallas Cowboy’s Stadium. We love Downtown FTW and the zoo here is GREAT (they’ve been a few times already…8)!

In April, Lil-E (our rescued black-lab and ?? mix) joined the family as Graham’s Birthday present. She has grown beautifully with the rest of us in our new home! Graham (G) who is growing into the smartest, most soft-spirited little boy in the world has started going to school pre-school at Holy Cross Lutheran (they wear robes and chant and repeat lots of stuff during their services. I know because we had to sit thru a service when the kids had a “play” that lasted 4.5 minutes and they same 2 Christmas songs! Can you say bait and switch?) He loves school and is good friends with Hanna Clair and plays dogs and kittens with the girls and power rangers with the guys. He is getting really good at letter and starting the reading process along with the numbers except he always forgets the number 15 (must have missed that day on Sesame Street). He loved Toy Story, Handy Manny and Imagination Movers. He played YMCA T-ball and we made some amazing connections with the team and the parents (Talton Russell and Marty Collier) – great season and I was an asst Coach but you wouldn’t know it because I missed picture day…bummer! He fell it love with Jack in the box too. G, while he loves people, is continuing to shape up to be our more introverted, sharp, observant very talented kid! I pray God protects his mind and reveals Himself to G in a real way early as he is wired to analyze and critique. Graham is confidant and ive never been more excited to see him grow into a boy! I can see god using G in ways other may be intimidated by!

Cooper (Coop) is just a chaotic stubborn little angel! He is proving to be a match for G’s smarts…maybe not quite, but he does pack more of a punch than his big brother. We tore down the crib and made the adjustments for his big-boy bed – he just needs some milk and his sound machine (humidifier that he turns off himself every morning) and he falls asleep fine…but he will likely wake up in the night! This is when I sleep like a rock or pretend to…J/K Ry. His hair makes every man and woman jealous and he is just a beautiful little boy. There is something special about getting Coop alone, he is a blast and does not stop! He will likely be our more extroverted athlete type. Time will tell. I pray that God protects his heart as he is more emotional. I am excited to see how he searches and sees God. I predict it will be unique like his mom – there is such a beauty in that tender, vulnerable confidence in who God is to her.

Ryan has been busy mothering our kids, managing our home, and serving like always with me in our student ministry as our worship leader among other things! Ryan is part of weekly discipleship and bible study groups and is just 20 minutes away from bridesmaid and college roommate, Dawn. She got a piano for her birthday along with a fun surprise dinner with some friends. She has embarked on the adventure and challenge of scripture memorization and is (expected) a pro at it – and she has a great teacher! We are currently beginning to plan and pray about what life looks like with the boys in school and excited about the opportunity she will have to serve more, contribute to a company and provide another income. Life is changing and is very BIG for her and she is doing amazing and growing from each new challenge – I am so proud of what she’s done and WHO she is! She is more than ever my best friend and I am blown away to do life with her and serve HER! She silently grows deeper and deeper as a woman of God and I am continually inspired by her. It makes me think theres is something of God that I haven’t seen and makes me want to discover Him more. She’s beautiful and very pretty! Hot – even!

I have had more questions this year than ever and wouldn’t change it for the world. I am committed that every uncertainty drive me further into Him and for the times ive trusted well, He has certainly not failed – as though He could. I was stretched more than I expected as a salesman for 6 months and felt more uncertainty; frustration and fear than I thought He would ever allow me to feel. Romans 8:28 has been so true this year and I have seen Him change how I feel and think about so much this year. I love my job and the position I am in to lead and staff and team of volunteers to lead and love students into His story. I have great leaders in front of me – smart men that have truly been changed by God and truly live sacrificially to see Him glorified. I am more hopeful of our ministry to students than anywhere I’ve been and look forward to growing roots into this community as we delve into the lives of students and families here!

We still have questions and life is not perfect but we are settled. We are still. We have been planted in a place to grow and change. That’s nice for once.

BURUNDI WORSHIP

2009-10-04T12:23:00.000-07:00

Our church, Pantego Bible Church, just recently opened our doors to a large group of African refugees from the Congo and Burundi. They use our Student Building every Sunday from 1 to 4pm and do church!

LACES

2009-09-29T18:16:00.000-07:00

Here at Sky Ranch on a staff retreat, I saw a half moon in the sky this morning and for some reason that still makes me stop and consider how small I am. And this time when I stopped and considered my size compared with such celestial bodies such as moons, stars, galaxies, suns, etc., I thought of a word. 'BUSY'

It didn't make sense at first but after a few seconds of thinking, I finally recognized why I would consider my pace of life. When put in perspective with everything else, my errands, fears and concerns are quite...small. When I thought the word: busy, I thought of it in a pathetic kind of way. The way a 6th grade child tries to play a prank on his dad - it is just comical - even sad!

I don't want to 'miss it' because i have the perspective in life of someone hunched over so much that they can only see their laces, and on a good day, if their socks match. I don't want to waste an hour on worrying when i could have loved. i don't want to waste energy on what will have no eternal reward when i could have invested in something or someone that could change the(ir) world!

It made me pray, "God, lift up my eyes. Open my eyes to what is important to you and truly impactful to the people around me!"

'Busy' isn't always bad. Not looking up often to get some perspective is!

CAPTURE-THE-FLAG

2009-06-18T08:00:00.000-07:00

About 7 years ago in college, I was involved in one of the best games of Capture-the-flag ever! It was pitch black with the exception of a couple of street lights, the moon and a handful of flashlights. We had huge teams with different-color light up necklaces to distinguish our enemy from our teamate. We played for about a solid hour and long story short - we got beat soundly!

Afterwards, we sat around complaning and making excuses for why we lost - but the reason we lost came down to how poorly we defended our flag! See, our offensive strategy to get the other team's flag was fine, but we only had defenders closest to our flag instead of the mid-field and up-field as well! Basically, we didn't pay attention to the threat until it was too late! And we paid for it.

In Matthew 5 verses 21 thru 32, Jesus warns us of the very same thing with how we live. Too often we only pay attention to and defend our bad behavior and not have defenders for our bad thoughts or beliefs - which is where our bad behaviors come from! He is telling us that our first line of defense must be our thoughts!

In 2 Corinthians 10:5, Paul encourges us to take every thought captive and make them line up with how we are supposed to live (or make them "obedient to Christ"). If we dont consider a wrong thought a threat, it will turn into a wrong belief. And if we do not consider a wrong belief a threat, it will turn into a wrong bahavior. And before you know it, its too late. And you will pay for it!

Jesus is so concerned with what is in our hearts because who we are always affects how we behave - everytime!

NEW TOY!!

2009-04-17T07:17:00.000-07:00

I imaging that you did the same thing when we were a kid. A new toy would flash across the tv screen during a commercial or you would pass the toy of your dreams in the aisle and you begin plotting to get it. first you just ask the parents. then the guilt move. then comes the begging! I dont know about you, but by that point i usually got the toy! (only child) Well, that did not last forever and at some point i started noticing something...

The more i trashed or disregarded the things I ALREADY HAD, the less likely i was to get NEW things. This is a powerful principle when it comes to wanting new 'stuff' but it became a lot more powerful when i learned that God uses this principle. its called STEWARDSHIP!

We all want God to speak to us, to clear up confusion, to show us which way to go or what to do...But, if we are disobeying or even disregarding what He has already said to us, can we really expect Him to speak more?!

What has the Spirit spoken to your heart last week or last year, what is written in the Bible, what is Godly wisdom from a friend that you are overlooking? I believe God wants to be real to us, but we are responsible for stewarding what He has shown us before we can rightfully expect Him to show us much more!

Luke 12:48b

Great gifts mean great responsibilities; greater gifts, greater responsibilities!

*

2009-04-08T09:12:00.000-07:00

From performance-driven MLB centerfielders iswho bat left-handed and wear the number 24 to a cry-baby coaching administration at a big-12 univervisity that sports burnt orange, many have found that the quickest way to get the recognition that your accomplishments deserve is to throw up your stats with an asterisk beside it and there you go.

You either did it or you didnt! If you broke the rules or voted on the rules and all-the-sudden dont like them - sorry. Why do we feel like we have to create a whole separate category or say that "situations were different" just so we can say we are the best or better at something!?

Barry, Hank did it without steroids.

Mac, you got spanked by a Tech team you should have beat.

lets not live our life with asterisks. They are only excuses to argue why you didnt measure up.

ok...I am done now.

WE'RE FOOLS WITHOUT EASTER!

2009-04-08T08:40:00.000-07:00

Paul argues in the Bible that believers are the biggest fools on the planet if the resurrection was fiction! Why? well, as powerful as it is that Jesus laid His life down to become the subject of a brutal sacrifice for us, its all worthless...unless! Unless, he comes out on the other side more alive than ever. Unless he, after dying physically and (on even a more REAL level) spiritually by the power of sin, raises from the dead defeating the sin that temporarily defeated Him.

Jesus' sacrifice and then coming back alive changes our life. We can not only know Him but now be helped to live for Him by the same power of God's Spirit that made Jesus come alive. Its the ability to be new - not defined by what we wrestle with. Its the strength to serve and show the love we know. Its the truth that allows us to defeat the sin in our lives that has temporarily defeated us.

Romans 6:8,9

If we get included in Christ’s sin-conquering death, we also get included in his life-saving resurrection. We know that when Jesus was raised from the dead it was a signal of the end of death-as-the-end. Never again will death have the last word.

HAPPY EASTER!

UNDO

2009-03-09T10:37:00.000-07:00

We have all been there. 45 minutes on the computer finishing a book review that is due next class period and you make one wrong move and you delete instead of saving it - and all your hard work is gone.

You freak for a second, but then you remember! You have a button that can take you back in time and erase that mistake, even giving you the chance to make it right by hitting SAVE and PRINT.

There are about 20+ times in the past week, let alone my life, that i would've done anything to have an UNDO button. To go back in time and make it right - all without any consequences, pain, embarassment or struggle.

But, at some point we have to come to grips with the fact that this idea is just not an option - so what do we do when, after a mistake, we reach for this fictional option? There is only one thing we can do...Learn.

Something tells me God is OK with mistakes as long as we are learning from them. In fact, i would even say we will never truly learn or grow without the occasional mistake. I am learning that when i miss IT, dont miss HIM.

You can't have one without the other...

2009-03-02T19:18:00.001-08:00

DETOUR...or not.

2008-12-30T20:59:00.000-08:00

Recently i have had the fear that i am sure quite a few people have. What exactly is God's destination for my life and am i on the right path? I feel this way specifically because it feels like i am on a detour and might be here for a while and frankly, that can be scary and tough!

but the other day while listening to a song from Robbie Seay band, i heard a line that said, "You're the one who chased us. You're the one who started all of this." and it hit me...

God doesnt deal with destinations! He deals with, you guessed it, the JOURNEY!

See, i firmly believe that if we genuinely desire (and are willing to make tough decisions when necessary) to do the wise things and prayerfully seek God, that we ARE on the right path. imagine what our terrified, paniced indecision communicates to God...something like. 'God, help me because i believe that i have ability, even when i want to do whats best, to mess up YOUR plan for my life.'

Who is bigger, you or God? right, and His will for you and me cant be thwarted (messed up - fun word to use) by anyone with a heartbeat. We are human and small - He is God! not a god, but God!

So next time you feel like you are on a detour, just realize that there is always some construction toward your "destination", keep reading signs and you will be back on the road at some point. but for now, enjoy the journey!

GOD'S VISIONS ARE BIGGER

2008-12-14T19:51:00.000-08:00

We all want to accomplish things and some of us have what we would call a vision for our future - what could and should be for our lives. But there is a down side to the whole 'pursue your dream' thing. And that is this; that being and doing all you had hoped becoming ULTIMATE! Seeing our dreams and visions come to fruition for coming to fruition's sake is the main danger here!

I believe that God is up to something way more than even providing miraculously for you to see your vision come to pass. I believe God accomplishes as much IN as He does THRU our obedience and leadership. And ultimately, He originates and works out our visions for His glory and that people would be closer to Him at the end of the day!

Remember this next time you consider your vision the end all, be all. God has different and bigger plans. To grow and mature you and bring others closer to Him. I think there is a mindset that will do us well: You and I are as replaceable as we are necessary - and its all about HIM.

WHAT IF WE WEREN'T SELFISH!

2008-12-09T12:31:00.000-08:00

TRUE INFLUENCE (leadership)

2008-11-26T22:03:00.000-08:00

I have an extremely important question for you. Probably one of the best questions you could ever ask. Its this: What is YOUR vision? for your finances, career, family, whatever! What's your vision? Basically, what is the indented outcome and product for (each area of) your life?

OK, now that you have that. Let me ask you AN EVEN BIGGER question? If you had to choose between accomplishing your vision or maintaining your moral authority (integrity), which would you choose? Are you willing to abandon the progress of your vision in order to choose your moral authority as priority?

As leaders, when you strip away the many skills that make up the art of leadership, you are left with whether or not you are who you said you are; your moral authority! I would rather look back on my life and have led 1 person 2 feet while being a leader worth following, than multitudes 2 miles while being a leader that didn't walk his talk!

PARENTS CAN BE SO STUPID!

2008-11-17T06:40:00.000-08:00

As a youth pastor, I have been guilty of being too critical of "my" students' parents. I have even been so frustrated (rightly so sometimes) that i have exclaimed (not rightly so...) "parents can be so stupid!!" Well, as much as that may be the case, i am a believer that i just might be the same way if i had walked in their shoes, and this helps me retain a level of grace and patience for the parent and sanity for me! However there is something us parents need to grasp and it will revolutionize our parenting. ready...

WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR ATTITUDE AS CHILDREN! "but they dont listen." well thats because we havent taught them to. "they talk back and get an attitude" thats because we didnt teach them that that is unacceptable!

Parents, wake up!!!!!!!!!!!! you are in their life with authority you have for a reason! you are the parent! You decide what they do and how they do it and if you need to, apologize later! because at that point, they will at least respect you as a decisive and authoritative parent. and not just a friend they like when they feel like it! News flash: just liking you when they feel like it will happen anyways!

OK, i am done!

THE BEST QUESTION EVER

2008-11-12T21:12:00.000-08:00

A lot has happened since I last posted. Since then life has gotten quite difficult complete with some very tough decisions. more details will follow but at this point i just want to share a lesson i am being forced to learn when life is difficult. The lesson is actually the ability to honestly ask and answer a very leading question. The question is this...and you can thank Andy Stanley for this...ready?! Here it is..."What is the wise thing to do?"

Pretty simply. right? Maybe. But easy? Hardly. recently i have made a tough decision for my family. certain parts of the desicions make me sacrifice more than i am comfortable and some just plain dont make sense. BUT...it is the wise thing to do for my family. Sometimes just knowing my prioritities helps me figure out what's wise. For example, my priorities go as follows: 1. me (my relationship with God) 2. my wife (becoming who and what she is passionate about) 3. my kids (within my power protecting or exposing them to what is necessary) and finally 4. my job (career and calling) These four can get hazy often and it really clears things up for me to know where each falls!

THE DEVIL'S IN THE MIDDLE

2008-11-02T07:13:00.000-08:00

My good friend Dave Matthews exposed a powerful truth about satan in his song "The Space Between". I have heard the song many times before but never noticed it before (mainly because its such a pretty song...)

anyways, one of the last lines in the song goes like this..."The space between what's wrong and right is where you'll find me hiding waiting for you."

the grey-area, the fence, the middle, those things in our lives that we can justify and make it sound like its permissable when deep down we know we should or shouldn't do it! This is along the same reason i think God considers lukewarm disgusting. and also the same reason James encourages us to be decisive and not wishy-washy! ...because if we allow too much grey-thinking or too much space between whats wrong and right - we will all find that it's very comfortable there. Rarely do people get there feelings hurt, you can have your cake and eat it too! But its not wise and the devil's lies destroy or at least water down our lives when we live in the middle. Be decisive. Don't justify things in or out of your life. Do it or Dont do it!

what part of your life needs to get out of the middle? is it right or wrong, period.

I DONT FEEL BLESSSED!

2008-10-25T09:41:00.000-07:00

Last week I was wearing a shirt with "Blessed" across the front (I don't make it a habit of professing my beliefs via apparel but this is a cool shirt & it fits me well). Anways, I walked by this woman on the phone who, seeing my shirt, covered her phone and whispered, "I like your shirt!" I am guessing she commented on the "blessed" and not the fit. But either way, I had forgotten what particular shirt I was wearing so I glanced down to be reminded. Immediately I was convicted (this means God tells me "Shut up. You're wrong!" - but in love.)

Why was I convicted? Well, here's what you need to know...At the time, I was actually walking out of the hospital in a bit of a bad mood and I had just started a pitty-party for myself, because my wife just had surgery then was sent to the hospital, I was watching both of our cranky boys, juggling calls and to-dos for a job that i couldnt go into the office for, and I hadn't slept a lot in the past month or so. I was stressed!

But, the moment this woman directed my attention to my own shirt, I realized that though i didn't feel blessed, I was! I am blessed! I know I need Jesus to be saved, I have a beautiful wife and two amazing boys that are mine. I am healthy and have a job doing what I love. And besides that (and I mean this most of the time and want to mean it all of the time) I have breath in my lungs...I am alive to know and experience God more and watch Him use me more today! I am blessed. That night I had a thought: the moment I don't FEEL blessed is the moment I realize that I took it granted! Count your blessings today!

YOU ANNOY ME!

2008-10-18T15:56:00.000-07:00

being a laid-back guy, I tend to forgive and forget pretty easily things (and people) that annoy me. However, the more i hear others' rants and lists of things that get under their skin, I get a little jealous and I too want to have such rants and lists. so, here is my list and I be updating it regularly.

- DVD menus (because they just repeat, and repeat, and....)

- Ear hair

- Houses with Christmas lights on them year-around

- bottled water

- playing volleyball with girls (who arent at least collegiate level players)

- wasting money on bad movies

more to come soon.

what bugs you?

OPPOSITE WAY

2008-10-18T10:54:00.000-07:00

something has been bugging the crap out of me lately. It seems that witnessing (sharing the life-changing truth of Jesus Christ) can be reduced to "So, you wanna come to my church." what in the world...and when did we...and who thought it was.....i dont get it. I'm not saying that inviting some to our church will prevent them from discovering, submitting to and following Christ, but shouldnt the emphasis by on our lives out in the world. Shouldn't we build relationships with unbelievers that are real and genuine enough that they see a difference in us not just our church!

Andy Stanley, a pastor of a large multi-site church in Atlanta, teaches something that i can get behind! They teach their people the 'Invest and Invite' Principle. Once you have invested to a certain point in an unbeliever's life, then inviting them to church has its place. When i look at scripture, it seems the most effective evangelistic/witnessing tool is a life that seems to be going the opposite way, commited to something much more meaningful and powerful than themselves; a life that is different! Be different. I am convinced that the way we spend our money, time and energy should look different that the world. Lets focus on following Jesus, being different - investing in unbelievers and when necessary invite them to your church. (check out Leeland's song: Opposite Way)

HOW TO KILL RACCOONS

2008-10-13T14:38:00.000-07:00

driving home from an enjoyable afternoon of pumpkin patches and pizza with fam and friends, i recieved a twitter (www.twitter.com) text notice. I am driving...at night...with my 2 boys and wife in the car so do you think I check the message? Sure i did! Well, as I checked the message and, between glances at the road, began to read it, my wife yells, "CHAD!!" And I look up just in time to see a Raccoon run out if front of my Jeep and then...BUMP-BUMP.

I killed a raccoon. my wife was sad. my 3 year old was intrigued.

So I promised to never text and drive ever again - we'll see. But this i do know...had i been paying attention to my primary task, driving, I may have kept us from being one raccoon closer to extinction.

Dont get too busy. Dont do too much at once. Be 'there' whereever 'there' is. We would be amazed at what we could swerve to miss or what we could enjoy if we would just be 'all there'.

"WOW"

2008-09-22T07:36:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, some friends invited me to just toss the football around in Boone Pickens Stadium; OSU's brand-new state-of-the-art stadium. I hesitated because i had just left my wife with both kids earlier that day and the rest of the day was going to be family time! Then i had the thought: 'i could bring Graham (my oldest) with me - he would LOVE that!'

So i did. And i will never forget his reaction. as we dropped into the massive, larger-than-life arena, his eyes widened and he exclamed, "Wow!..........This is huge!" And in that moment i knew i had done something great as a father. I had leveraged my access, my fun time with my friends, my opportunity...to expose him to a truly remarkable experience!

Make someone say "WOW!" today. How? Well, what do you do that you can show someone, where do/can you go that you can take someone? often times we take these things and places for granted. But your access, your opportunity, your destination, your way of doing things can absolutely make someone's day; even make a remarkably life-changing diference in who they are and how they think.

QUALITY VS. QUANTITY

2008-09-17T08:05:00.000-07:00

At the Gym this morning i had a thought and realized that there is an epic dual between 2 ideas that presents itself in just about every area of our lives. Heres what i was thinking: "If i focused on one muscle group and really concentrated for 30 minutes, my workout would be more effective than a randon 45 minute workout. and it seems whether i am at the gym, at home being a dad or husband, spending money, studying scripture / communicating with God, or leading/reaching people that QUALITY is much more effective than QUANTITY. You may be saying, "well duuhh!" (in a 4th grader's voice), but lets face it...how often do we chase quantity?! We love collecting things and can be so easily consumed with storing up and showing off our 'pile' of things, money, people and of course friends (myspace and facebook)! where does this come from?!

there is something in me that just screams, "Let's appreciate, do well and focus on the time, money and people we have now and when quantity comes...woohoo!"

Truth: Jesus had twelve (Ok, 11) and He's God and all and could do anything, but it begs the question, 'why didnt He have more and would the same world-changing results had taken place if he'd had "lots" of disciples'?

BROKEN, well...cracking.

2008-02-23T10:17:00.000-08:00

I see God changing me. In particular - what i think is important and exciting. its change. its different. its uncomfortable and I'm not sure if i like it. But there must be something or some part of me that embraces it or i dont think it would be happening. its almost like my heart has begun an argument with my mind - who has always done a great job of telling me what i need to know. But now what? it seems like i think/believe/feel deeper and that what used to be fun and exciting - or at least my determination to fight for them, are starting to break

heres what i mean. it is actually becoming more fulfilling to give than to get - i just thought that was a fancy way of encouraging selflessness. theres more - appreciation feels better than...feeling good, Quality is a no brainer over quantity, and i am border-line evergized by things (and people) who previously drove me crazy, or atleast made me impatient.

maybe its just me, but impatience when life didnt revolve around me, having a lot, "feeling good" and being on the receiving in any way, shape or form is all i knew and...i liked it. sure i had good days where i chose "depth" over "shine" but those were the exception.

Maybe its just the perspective that comes with age, but though i do have my share of grey hairs for 25 years, i am still young. i truly believe God is slowly (and hopefully, surely) changing me to think and be more like Jesus - our Lord and example.

Dont conform to this world (how it behaves and thinks) but be changed by the renewing of your mind (thoughts, beliefs) so we can prove and understand God's will! (romans 12.2)

it will take being broken to how we may be used to think to fully renew our minds and think and do what God wants - allowing the "shine" to break to know the "depth". And from what little i have seen so far, his way is tons better than mine!

NEW

2007-12-30T20:41:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! Its about that time of the year again; when we write/type the wrong year on everything for about a month, tell our friends the old and cheesy joke, "Well, i guess i wont see you until...next year," and of course, create rediculously obvious catch phrases that rhyme with the year. But besides knowing i will get at least one kiss that day, my favorite part of New Years is that in a lot of ways we get to start all over.

But are we really starting over? I mean, what is so special about the fact that 365.25 days have passed that we celebrate it in part by adopting a mindset of "all-things-new" "fix the past" "find a mate in 08", etc.?! What really will be that different?

THE BAILEYS

2007-12-25T20:36:00.000-08:00

Meet Cooper Maddox Bailey. The newest addition to our family!

If you have any good nick-name ideas, don't be shy. Let me know. All we have so far is Coop-Deville, Cooper-Pooper-Scooper (it was inevitable so we thought it best to start that one ourselves), Cooper's Town and Mini-Cooper.

SNOW PRINTS

2007-12-25T19:43:00.000-08:00

Just a few days ago, my wife and our kids returned home to Oklahoma City for Christmas. While going on an "adventure" to a park just down the street from my mother's house, My 2 and a half year old son Graham and I found some 3-day-old snow barely there due to the polite shade and so of course...we ran and played in it. While doing so, I saw snow prints of our shoes directly next to each other and couldn't help but stop (take a picture - obviously) and be reminded of the powerful and often overwhelming fact that 'I am this little guy's father.' He will follow my lead, do what i do, say what i say. And in a significant way, he will be (or have to recieve counseling) a lot of who i am.

But almost as quickly as i felt overwhelmed by being a father, I am reminded of the one thing that makes it all worth it (besides getting to play with legos and hot wheels again). There is no greater opportunity and no greater priveledge than being a father - blazing a trail, showing the way and taking some on an "adventure" called 'life'. How cool is that!

THE COLOR OF THE WIND

2007-10-30T21:05:00.000-07:00

Just the other day, as i walked into the house from work and my two year old son - Graham, ran toward me to tackle me (something we have recently been practicing - "wrap and push over") anyways, and he actually almost took my lets from under me! Once i regained my balance (and told him what a great hit that was), i looked down at him to see his face as big as i have ever seen it; he was excited about something! He finally asked if he could go out on our front porch steps and "see what we see" (we had done this the day before - and i guess he liked it). So out we went, we sat down and started looking around.

I would ask 'What do you see?' and he would answer. I would then up the difficulty of our "game" and drill him by pointing out something and saying, 'What is..that?' and 'What color is it?' - most of the time he was right (he gets it from his mom. She is pretty sharp). So, on we went for about 5 minutes until he pointed and said, "Hey, look. There's the wind!" I didn't really take him seriously or look where he was pointing because - well, lets face it - you cant see the wind. I humored him and tested his rediculous observation and being about 3% serious, I asked, "Yeah, what color is the wind, buddy?" "Green!" he said with a confident smirk. So confident infact, that i had to look where he pointed a minute earlier and when i did - i saw a little green tree being blown by the wind and realized something; that his innocense allowed him notice something pretty profound.

God may be as visible as the wind but the effects of God can be as visible to those around us as we chose to make them when we live out the change He has made in us. "They will see your good works, and give glory to your father in heaven." - Matthew 5.16