To: Sharon Church From: the Robertson's

This semester in student ministry, Sharon Students did a series titled “Cliff Jumping.”

I saw students leap outside their comfort zone, into the place of unknown where faith comes alive.

By the encouragement of James who said, “Faith without works is dead” and Hebrews that says, “without faith it is impossible to please God,” students and leaders began to believe greater things about God than ever before.

As we urged students to engage…God was stirring in me a cliff of my own.

After a year of seeking God’s will, Shelli and I now see that the cliff before us is one of church planting.

Over the past number of months, the need for new churches to be birthed has been made evident to me like never before.

Through an emotional process of surrender, Shelli and I have found ourselves willing to move as far East as WV, as far North as Indianapolis and as far West as TX…and in the end, God has seen fit to allow us to make disciples in our very own capital city, Little Rock.

Brother Michael and I have discussed this at great length and we agree that I will be able to continue fulfilling all my responsibilities over the summer and into the school year, as we begin rallying support and building a team to see this vision become a reality.

I would greatly appreciate your prayer and encouragement as we stand at the edge of the cliff and we take this leap as a family.

Our family has been blessed greatly by being part of the Sharon family…and it is our prayer that over the next number of months, as we continue working together, that you would be able to say the same about us.

Warning: Political content (without influence of spiritual beliefs)

14 pounds of barking, carpet wetting, long hair topped with a bow...this was my childhood pup.  She was a friend, couch companion, walking buddy, and much much more.  But to the family friend who had a phobia of anything beginning with K and ending with 9, she was the monster in the closet.  He would cringe at her sight and hide until the coast was clear for him to pass in safety.  It never made sense to me, this pup was my childhood friend and closest companion for many years.  But to the one who viewed all dogs through the lens of fear, she was a reason to be afraid.  The difference between our family friend and our family was a simple difference in the way we viewed dogs.
Following last night's presidential election, I stumbled across a video from Stephen Colbert (host of CBS's Late Show), he hosted and event in which he planned to celebrate Hillary Clinton's inevitable victory over Donald Trump...but as the tides turned and Stephen was forced to conclude an evening where the unthinkable had happened, he made a few observations (one of which made a deep impression on me).

The image above is a statistic that I needed to hear.  This statistic has moved me with compassion and erased the indignation of my heart.
I don't believe the majority of attacks our candidates and nation has made on each other has stemmed from wanting to win, beat the enemy, or hate for another people group.  I  believe what we have witnessed has been birthed from a simple difference in the way we view the world.
In this melting pot culture we live in, there are many who view the world in a different manner than I do.  According the view one holds, he/she attempts to implement policies and practices that allow them to operate in their zone.  Simultaneously, other people are doing the very same thing.  This doesn't immediately make them the enemy, it makes us different.  I don't believe the many people groups in our country hate each other or want to defeat one another...I believe we are witnessing what I saw in my home as a child, people who are afraid.
Fear does many things to the human mind and body.  It causes us to lash out, to run away, it causes rational people to do irrational things, say things that we don't believe, and much more.  Fear is powerful and fear is real.  Our country may not be as prejudice, as hateful, or closed minded as we have been led to believe.  Our country may simply be afraid.
For this reason, I hurt for those in our country who feel as if they have lost.  For those who see the need to protest.  For the ones who think they are the winners, and those who now want to boast.  Many are weeping and worried, not because the contest is over...but because the fear is real.  
I have been caused to rethink all we have seen over the last 18 months...maybe we could all benefit in the future by thinking cleared about the past.

Salvage Jerry

It is apparent that Jerry has been done the wrong road a time or two.  When he focused in on me at the salvage yard, I could hardly discern what he was thinking...yet it was apparent that when he narrowed in on me, he was hoping for something.  

a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. 39And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching.40But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 41But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”  (Luke 10:38-42)

Cordial greetings led way to generic responses offering a window into the heart.  Jerry could hardly voice that he was "okay" without a dose of wishfulness that he was better.  As he probed me to know my occupation, I reluctantly released that I was a pastor (usually a conversation killer...), but this time around it was only the beginning.  For approximately the next 20 minutes he and I talked and listened to one another as the Word of God was spoken over his addiction, his selfishness and his broken life and relationships.  All around us, others were busy about their work, which was good, but Jerry sat and listened to the Lord's teaching.  At one point, an apparent coworker of Jerry made a snide remark to him in hopes of getting him back into action...Jerry's response was a humble whisper of "Yeh, but I am doing what is better."  

I don't know if Jerry was brought into the family of God this day...he already had some Scriptural knowledge, though it was skewed at best.  I was able to listen through his meth induced rambling and follow up with encouragement and instruction through the teachings of Christ.  Good as the entire interaction was, it was the closing comments which stick with me today.

Jerry looks me in the eye as says, "You've listened to me.  Others have seen me and had a lot to say about "I this...I that."  But you have listened through my stuttering and rambling."  Without a doubt, I could see the gratitude in this man from another person taking time to listen.  And apparently there was another man in Jerry's past who had shown great compassion for him during a previous season, because he spoke John's name with great respect and great remorse...as though maybe Jerry had not valued John fully until that moment.

Studying the gospel of Mark combined with my daily encounters is really doing a work on me today...

Mark 1:  Jesus calls disciples to be "fishers of men."

Mark 2:  Jesus shares a meal table with "sinners."

Mark 3:  Jesus has diseased and hurting pressing in to "touch him."

Mark 4:  Jesus says to sow the Word liberally in order to harvest some.

Apart from the things God has revealed in these passages...Jerry may have been brushed off as just another strange man to avoid.  Instead, the life of Jesus was recalled to mind as Jerry and I shook hands and parted ways.

I had begun to question...

There has been much reason for encouragement lately as we continue the effort in helping others depend upon and follow Christ more fully.  One of the greatest encouragements has come from a young man who I am investing my life and time into on a regular basis.
Isaiah has proven a couple of things to me that I had begun to question...

1.  Teenagers are fully capable of digesting and obeying the Truth of God.  As we sit across the table from one another each week, it is amazing the understanding that is had for the Story of God in the gospel.  He gets it!  Not only does he get it, but he is doing it!  As the Holy Spirit speaks, he listens and obeys.  None of the things which he has been obedient to came by me, but by the Word of God...none of it required persuasion from be but fully persuaded in the Spirit, obedience was found.  I have been praying for quite some time that God would send teenage men who are spiritually discerning.  While most young men are distracted by toys, Isaiah has been distracted by the work of God in his life in the last five months.  I am grateful for what God is doing in and through his life.
2.  Evangelism is not for the elite, but for all who follow Christ.  As someone who had a late start on sharing my faith in the public realm, I was disillusioned into thinking that only those who are "really serious" about their faith would tell others about Jesus.  While it is true that some simply won't open there mouth...it is also true that if we equip people with skills and a plan, some will.  Its encouraging to hear Isaiah tell me of the conversations he has been able to have with those on his bus.  Each week that we gather, he has stories to tell and people to pray for.  And just as fun, are the opportunities we receive because we meet in a public space each week.  Just yesterday we found ourselves sitting with a young lady who works at the donut shop we meet at each week, sharing the truth about Jesus and inviting her to know Him.  Not all people will open their mouth...but some will.

I am praying for those who have begun to share their faith in our town.  Praying for the Holy Spirit to speak with power and conviction as we share His Story.  Praying that eternities be changed and lives be transformed because we were wanting and willing to be used.  I hope...no, I believe that in the days to come these posts will tell of the lives that have been given to Christ as "some" went out and opened their lives and mouths to tell of this great Story.

Without Fear.

A common theme of our conversation lately has been that of sharing our faith.  Shelli and I agree wholeheartedly that we desire our home and family to constantly be inviting others into knowing Christ as we do.  With this desire has come a learning curve.  I have never been what I would consider and effective evangelist...over the past 7 years, I have done it but not necessarily well.  Finally, the book "Share Jesus without Fear" has given me a model for sharing my faith that is relational, conversational, intentional and effective!

As my whole clan arrived at Brandt's soccer practice last Thursday, I was immediately drawn to notice one of the fathers who we had shared T ball with last fall...yet I had  not made a connection with him.
Following an informal time of introductions, through a random comment he made it known that the mother of his children was his girlfriend, not his wife.  At this point Christians have two options (and I fear we often choose incorrectly), we can offer correction and proclaim how living together is sinful and sex outside of marriage is wrong (which it is)...or we can inquire into the heart and find out what is keeping them from God's best in their life.  I chose to pursue the heart.

- How long have you dated?
- Seven years.
- Dude!  What are you waiting on???!!!

This time around, the light hearted pursuit of the heart landed us exactly where we wanted to be.  This young man shared his fear of divorce that was based on a misunderstanding of marriage and an elevated view of his own flaws.  He was afraid that if they married, she would leave him at some point.
At this point, there was an open door to the gospel.  We proceeded by finding out he had no real spiritual beliefs, a correct identification of the person of Jesus (without knowing Jesus personally), belief in life after death and the assumption that he would arrive in hell based on everything that he has done and continues to do wrong.  Our conversation took a dramatic turn as I asked him, "What would you say if I told you that God has made another way, other than being good?"  As his interest peaked, he shared a great attentiveness to what I would say next.
Together, we went through the gospel Scriptures and discussed what they meant to him.  I believe the Holy Spirit is at work in this young man's life even though he was unable to surrender his life the Lord on that day...I continue praying for his salvation.
What struck me as the conversation closed was this statement that he made, "My girlfriend will be so happy that you told me this!  She has been praying for me and for God to send someone to me!  She will be happy!"

A few months ago I had the opportunity to share a story with our church, where some of our friends were an answer to someone else's prayer...I then asked, "Do we want to be the answer to other people's prayer more often?"  Being a blessing is such a blessing.  May our family grow more in more in our telling of the Story...may we be an answer to prayer more and more as we take advantage every opportunity to do good.

As We Have Opportunity

So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone...  (Galatians 6:10)

Opportunity comes daily.  Opportunities are daily missed.

I am grateful for a wife who seeks opportunity to do good as we journey life together.  Last Sunday evening we were out to eat with other families the church and opportunity knocked.  Our waitress conversed with us openly about her three sons (ages 10, 5, and 2)...we get much kid talk as we take 14 kids to dinner most Sunday evenings!  Shelli made the observation that this woman was without a wedding ring and was working late on a Labor day weekend...so this is an opportunity to do good.  

Shelli proposes we go above the normal tip, and offer this young lady a few extra dollars to bless her day.  Instead of merely leaving the cash, we see an opportunity to connect with her personally as the restaurant is closing down.

Me - "Do you have any spiritual beliefs?"

Waitress - "Oh yes, it is God who is getting me by every day.  I am rehabbing from drug addiction and I believe God is the reason I am still going."

Me - "If I asked you who Jesus was to you...what would you say?"

Waitress - "He is my Lord and Savior!"

Me - "When did that happen?"

Waitress - "I was baptized when I was 7...but when I was 13 I really realized my need for Him.  That is when I was saved."

Me - "We have a few extra dollars we would like to bless you with tonight."

Waitress - "Thank you!  I am saving up to buy a car!  My boys were taken from me because of my drug addiction.  Now that I am clean, I've moved to Benton and am working to buy a car so that I can get my boys back into my life."

Shelli - "Can we pray for you right now?"

Waitress - "Yes!  That'd be great."

After encouraging her to jump in with a church (inviting her to Sharon) that could walk with her and encourage her in her journey, we took the kids and went home.

Sometimes the opportunity to do good gives others a chance to receive eternal life for the first time...sometimes the opportunity is to encourage the saints and experience the eternal life we've been given.

Opportunities come daily.  Opportunities are daily missed.

So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone... 

Pursuing Insignificance

 

Feeling significant is easy...take on tasks which require skill, endurance, and passion.  Accomplish something big and stamp your name on it for history to see.

Feeling small is difficult...obtain a passion for those forgotten, take on the impossible, walk in long suffering.  Stamp someone else's name on your accomplishments for history to see, or ignore.

Is life found in achieving immortality, or in knowing I am a vapor, a passing shadow, a flower that comes forth and withers and my length of days is a mere moment.

Is life at the end of the path proclaiming "I am someone!" or on the edge of an infinite sea, in the depth of the darkest forrest, within the words "Let there be light...and there was."

What if we ceased pursing greatness and pursued insignificance?   What if?

What if we fathered the fatherless.

...cared for the widow.
...submit to our husbands.
...loved our wives.
...honored our parents.
...brought up our children.

...were generous toward the poor.

...visited the prisoner.

"The greatest among you shall be your servant."  

(Psalm 144:4, 39:5, Genesis 1:3, James 1:27, Ephesians 5:22, 25, 6:2, 4, Matthew 23:11)

7th Grade...Pimples...My Insecurity.

The level of my own insecurity is surprising!  Not like 7th grade and I've got a pimple, but it is insecurity just the same.

Temperament is affected,  so are relationships in my family, even my body struggles under the weight of insecurity.  I have grown to despise this ongoing struggle against my heart.

Only you know what insecurities you struggle with...self image, success, relationship status, past failure, etc...  We've all got our battles I suppose.  Many of these begin by hiding something, producing an insecurity based in fear that others may find you out.  The struggle I have is actually the opposite...it begins by putting it all out there and realizing that others will disagree, disapprove or even take offense.

Of Adam and Eve, it was said"the man and his wife were naked and were not unashamed."  These two laid everything out there, had nothing to hide and nowhere to hide it!  Yet, there was no fear, shame or guilt.  Only when rejecting the plan of the Planner did this reality go awry.  I long for the day when we stand in awe of the One who walks among us again to the extent we are no longer concerned with one another's cover ups.

But for now we live in the balance of two realities, rejecting the plan of the Planner and a desire to live with nothing to hide.  As a minister of the gospel and a servant of the Church, this causes no small war in my heart.  It is my daily task to lay my life for others to observe, and at times critique.  Daily waves of successes and failures roll through, tossing my mind from one side to the other.  In the morning I may celebrate new life with a young believer only to turn in the afternoon and battle with what seemed to be a wise decision that didn't pan out.

It would be surprising for me to find out that I am the only pastoral staff member with this struggle.  So assuming I am in much company, here are a few ways we can "encourage one another and build one another up."  (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

1.  Talk to him...not about him. 
     Here's the deal, if you find a fault in him worth talking about...he's already struggling with it or it is a      

blind spot in his life.  Telling others only feeds insecurity (because he always hears eventually), where as talking with him could be the  encouragement needed.

2.  Don't question him...ask him questions.  

    Not all, but most pastoral staff labors whole heartily over even the most minor details.  There is 

usually a reason why something was done over something else or done different.  If the staff member is dedicated at all to the people, he will be excited to discuss questions...but questioning his heart, wisdom or ability will be a discouragement feeding insecurity.

3.  Expect compassion...not perfection.

    Big business CEOs and such, have been trained for success...sometimes at the expense of people.  Ministry leaders will often sacrifice so called success for the good of the people.  Not all things will make sense from an organizational vantage point, when the good of the people is primary.  The pastoral figure is constantly balancing what he needs to do, what he hopes to do, what he wishes he could do and what his own family must have him do.  This juggling act, combined with the expectations he and others place on him, create intense insecurity...But the body of Christ is not merely an organization but a living organism, therefore the people are primary and compassion trumps perfection.

So, assuming that there is pastoral staff all over the world needing encouragement today, knowing that their marriages and children are on the line and the life of the Church as well...these are some simple applications of Paul's exhortation in 1 Thessalonians 5:11 to "encourage one another and build one another up."

The Deep End Still Exists

        The day in age of which we live is unique in so many ways.  We find ourselves advancing in so many areas, reaching destinations and possibilities that those before us would dare not even dream.  Yet simultaneously, in some ways the waters are receding into a shallowness of life formerly unknown to man.

     It is a personal struggle of mine to see the potential of media and technology underutilized as a platform for pushing agendas, views and other's out of the way.  By the depths of God's grace we've been given the potential to engage in the great commission (Matthew 28:19-20) with the click of a keyboard or swipe of a screen...yet we often stay in the shallow end as we dispute each other's view, seek to prove a brother wrong or moan about anything and everything.
     
     I was reminded of a great truth while spending last week in the hospital with my wife, no this opportunity did not fulfill the great possibilities of our dreams (proven by imaginative Instagram pics with added filters for added interest) but it has fulfilled the deep longings of our heart.  Thank you to the many brothers and sisters in Christ who showed concern, prayed, brought meals and showered our six year old daughter with gifts as mommy and daddy missed her birthday.

By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”  John 13:35

The love you have shown fills our hearts and reminds us that the deep end still exists.

lessons learned for youth ministry leaders / volunteers...free of charge

Eight years ago this Christmas I was fully convinced of the calling to ministry on me and my family...man, what a journey it has been!  From volunteer, to part time, to full time, back to part time, to volunteering, and now again in full time vocational ministry (going on three years now).  I have served in a church's infant stage, deathbed stage and somewhere in between.
I have noticed over recent history that I am no longer the pup of student ministry, and strange to me there is the occasional young guy looking to me for wisdom.  Consider this post the reflections of 8 years walking with students and families and the summary of what I've concluded...free of charge.

1. CAMP AND MISSION TRIPS are not the turning point where student lives are changed and they never look back.  They are opportunities for relational discipleship and mile markers of life which they will look back on.  Avoid the hype and focus on the teaching moments.
2. VOLUNTEERS...you can never have too many.  Don't be concerned about the student to adult ratio on Wednesday night, be concerned about the quality of relationships being formed by those you have attending.  This may require one adult for every two students!?!?
3. FUN EVENTS have never served as a legit outreach as much as I hope they would.  They have served to reconnect students who had disconnected and they have been great relationship builders between students, volunteers and myself.  
4. PARENTS are not optional.  I struggled with parents in my early years when I thought our student ministry was about my leadership.  Youth leader, get over yourself.  The ministry is not about you, it is about the homes represented by each student.  At all costs build the bridge between you and parents...be ready to fade into the background and help parents be parents (oh yeah, don't tell them how to be parents or judge their effectiveness if you are not one...just encourage every chance you get).  Below are three ideas that have been most effective for me in building that bridge.
1. MAILING A LETTER TO PARENTS.  When a student does something that is good, it is an opportunity to encourage the parent.  It does not matter one bit if the parent is a regular at church or if I've never met them, whether they are a follower of Christ or not...they are the biggest influence in the student's life and if the student does good, I can encourage the parent by telling them that they must be doing something good.
2. FAMILY NIGHT...twice a year Sharon students uses major calendar dates as an excuse to host a family night where every parent is invited to worship, have fun and hear the vision.  We currently use back to school and Christmas as the two dates.
3. PARENT VOLUNTEERS have been a great place to build bridges.  I did have to repent of the mindset that youth group is a safe place to say anything and realize that the home must become a safe place to say anything...but after that, all has been good.
5. NUMBERS have never increased as I counted them.  I'm not the guy that has been a part of the overnight mega youth group...that guy was my friend and it was a painful comparison.  But I have realized that every ministry I have been part of has grown...and grown slowly.  Learn to avoid the constant head count and make sure that people count.  Satan caused David to count the troops...the LORD adds to the numbers...we are called to feed the sheep.  (1 Chronicles 21:1, Acts 2:47, John 21:17)
6. LONGEVITY AND RESULTS go hand in hand.  Galatians 6:9 is not a promise for us to preach as we pack up and move on.  The greatest harvest of my ministry I have not been privileged to enjoy because I had already moved on.  The students who moved into ministry, went on missions, the dad who learns to seek the LORD with his wife and kids, and so on and so on...  If we never mature beyond being the one year and gone guy, we aren't likely to see a harvest.
7. RELATIONSHIPS, building and maintaining these is the greatest use of my time.  There are some things you must do and do alone, such as message prep, but everything else you do is an opportunity to build relationships by taking someone with you.  On the flip side, maintaining relationships will include connecting with the one I haven't spoken to lately or more importantly, reaching out to the one who is avoiding me or running down my name.  Some of the most valuable relationships I have had in the church were people I did not get along with or that could not stand me.  Relationships are the flesh on your faith...by this all men will know that you are my disciples.  (John 13:35)
8. EGO AND INSECURITY have been my biggest hurdles.  I once thought that anything that took place under my ministries name had to happen on my clock...wrong!  Part of this was because I thought too much of my title/abilities and too little of other's.  Another part (more relevant today) is that I have major insecurities.  I am still attempting to learn how to hand off, help others to implement their ideas, and even let others do things that I can do better.   

This is merely the tip of the iceberg...maybe something will be found of value for you or someone you know.

Resistance

While searching my old laptop, I ran across this paper, concerning resistance, that I had written during my time at Moody.  It was for a class called "people helping skills" which is a counseling class of sorts.

Two reasons exist for why I would post an old school project to my blog...1)  Finding this paper has been a great encouragement to me and I desire to save it as a record of my own growth and struggles.  2)  There may come a day when another leader of people could benefit from the insight of my past mistakes.

Resistance

October of 2010 was when I accepted the role as pastor of a small church, in a rural community outside of Little Rock.  This congregation had existed for nearly 100 years and had experience a massive falling out just months prior to my arriving.  The congregation that once had 75 regular attendees, had dwindled to twelve sad faces.  The majority of all the conflict centered on a single family whose conflict had now destroyed the church.  For many reasons I now realize, this is the setting in which God placed my family.

As the journey began, to counsel and bring healing to hurting and bitter individuals, it was not long before resistance became the norm.  The two major forms of resistance identified were response quantity and response content resistance.  As I attempted to engage the conversation with those in leadership, lips were tight and feedback was minimal.  When conversation finally did take place, I realized quickly that there were only a few shallow details that were going to be revealed.  That which was spoken, diverted all attention to those who were not present and were unable to defend themselves.  There was little to no insight concerning the hearts and actions of them who remained. 

There are a couple of reasons for resistance that I was able to identify.  The first being that this group of people were never taught and had never experienced relationships that allowed them the freedom and trust to speak of anything beyond the surface.  Not a single relationship in this congregation had ever journeyed below the surface, not even those who shared the same home.  Wives did not know how to talk to husbands and sons were unable to talk to mothers, therefore it is expected that members would be unable to discuss anything of depth with other members or a pastor.  The other reason for resistance that was identified was that the leaders of the church had a poor view of sin and how to deal with it.  The consensus was that we should ask forgiveness and push it aside to never be discussed.  James 5:16 was a foreign and an outrageous concept, for they should never air their dirty laundry to one another.

To my fault, I grew frustrated and placed the fault on the people.  If they would not talk, then I would push them harder and harder until one of us broke.  I broke first.  My frustrations of their resistance pushed me to grow weary and bitter at those whom I was called to love and serve.  For nearly six months I lost my ability to be productive because all energy was consumed in a power struggle to see who would crack first.

The first thing I could have done different would be to see some resistance as normal.  I could not come to grasps with why they would desire to remain bitter and depressed when the Word of God promises freedom and joy, but it would have done them and me good to see resistance as normal.  I could have also been realistic and flexible with the people in the church.  When resistance began, it would have been valuable for me to not be so firm in demanding results but to flex and bend according to what they were able to give at the time.  Finally, searching for initiatives and incentives could have been a valuable way to overcome resistance.  In the power struggle, I likely pushed for change without fully engaging in what the future could be like.  It is true that people respond to vision better than they do commands.  If they can get excited about the future and what they invest in, they are less likely to say no or grow tired in doing good.



The Heaven's Declare...

It's only July 21st and this summer has been a summer of ministry like I have not experienced.  There have been days of stretching, days of filling and days of pouring.

God's grace has required more.  He has stretched my willingness, challenged my motives and revealed my shortfalls...all for His glory.

God's grace has given more.  He has opened my eyes, softened my heart and filled me with greater discernment...all for His glory.

God's grace has been poured out more.  He has caused some to desire Him, shown His people greater depths of His fullness, and has placed a constant flow of servants in my path to pour my heart into...all for His glory.

This summer has had plenty of struggles, plenty of victories and plenty of circumstances that were and some that remain uncertain.  Closing out a couple of months of ministry unlike anything I have experienced...I share this picture.

This picture (taken by Jason Carlton) captures the essence of everything experienced this summer.  Six months ago as I was praying about how God would desire NEXT camp to spend it's Tuesday night, I desperately hoped for an avenue to describe the glory/majesty of Christ.  After a few days of prayer, a verse popped into my mind that would decide our Tuesday night plans, "The heavens declare the glory of God..." (Psalm 19:1). We would spend the evening under the stars in a time of worship with song and Scripture.  For six long months, the major thought was, "God, let there be clear skies...otherwise this night will never work."  In the end, the stars serve only as a reminder of the lesson learned this night.  

You see, this same Tuesday we lost electricity at camp 30 minutes prior to worship.  As we adjusted the worship and preaching time to be held outside on a hill, there was no concern as to what would be done after the sun went down.  God's people were at peace as the plans God had given for the night were the ONLY plans that could have happened without electricity.  For six months I was concerned about clouds in the sky...but in hindsight, God knew that the lack of electricity would steal the show.  

We are all going through a lot in our lives, we have many reasons to fret and be concerned.  We think, "If only this one thing will work out, then it will be okay!"  Allow these stars to remind you of the lesson I learned Tuesday night.  Whether God's grace is stretching, filling or pouring you out...It is not about you, but it is all for His glory.  

His plan is good, perfect and complete...the details have been considered and accounted for before you knew a thing.  The heavens truly do declare the glory of God...find peace in your place as you gaze into the skies tonight.

Things Have Changed.

I'm really not sure when and not sure how, but things have changed.  I don't know if the change is due to age, phase of life, or the growing size of our family.  It doesn't feel like I have hit a mid life crisis, I don't feel depressed, but I definitely feel different.  The other day I woke up and realized that I was less concerned with what I can build and more thoughtful about what I will leave.  Without an intentional thought, I have given up the "gaining ground" mentality in order to adopt the "leaving a legacy" mentality.
To be honest, I have never been all that good at the "gaining ground" mindset to begin with. I have struggled to be hard nosed in the game of business.  Money has never been something I have seen much of.  Back breaking work seems to have come more natural than innovative thinking.  As I have accepted the fate that I will never gain as much ground as the other guy, my territory has increased anyway.  I have been given way more than I could have ever earned in my own strength, provisions have never run dry and resources have always exceeded the need.  Maybe this is why I can now turn my mind away from gaining ground and toward leaving a legacy...the ground was never mine to gain, it is only mine to steward.

I saw that there is nothing better for a person than to enjoy their work, because that is their lot.  For who can bring them to see what will happen after them?  Ecclesiastes 3:22

Who can bring me to see what will happen after my time is gone?  All that I have worked for, gained and achieved will belong to another and all that remains is not what I left behind, but what I invested...the legacy I leave.  These three amazing kids in the picture above represent the greatest gain of my life.  Apart from my wife, who is my crown, these kids will be my main concern after my time is gone.  How will they turn out?  Who will they give their love to?  Will they be able to handle this life on their own?
Who can bring me back to check on these?  No one.  If I am truly concerned with these beautiful children after I am gone, then I will begin leaving my legacy with them today.

The legacy Shelli and I are hoping to leave is this...
There is One who loves you more than all others.  He desires you, seeks you, waits for you, is compassionate toward you, He will and has already done everything He can for you...
His name is Jesus and you can trust Him.
With all He has done for you, you now do for others.  Micah, Brandt and Justus...
We pray you love others as Jesus loves you.

Confessing what we already know.

Excuse me for a moment while I think out loud.
The past week I have re-realized something that I have known for quite some time.  It is no hidden secret...in fact it is often the focus of many jokes and subtle (or not so subtle) stabs at me from those I love the most.
Once again, it has been in the front of my mind that I struggle most with...get ready, here it comes...

PRIDE.

Here are the signs that have brought this to the front of my mind...

• I wait for compliments when I think I've done well.  Not with obvious obsession, but quietly anticipating to be patted on the back.
• If I don't get complements, I question myself.
• No amount of compliments satisfy me...like lays chips, "you can't eat just one."

Here is the reason I find myself concerned about the issue of being proud...

     "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall."  Proverbs 16:18

The fall is always one step away.  One wrong move and all we work for can be gone.  This is why Moses and Joshua were constantly reminding the people, "do not turn to the left or the right!"  

There is the flip side to this whole story...the one where the overly humble do nothing in the name of "meekness."  The message of "do not turn" was not an excuse to not move!  

Here are the positive things I've noticed as I teeter between pride and faith...

• I do things I've never done...inexperience is not an excuse, but I often feel like anything is possible.
• I find myself over my head...this is good!  It's when I have exceeded my ability that I've gained first-hand knowledge of the power of God.
• There are no regrets...no I should haves or could haves.

Many godly men have fallen in the name of pride, "How the mighty have fallen!"  

On the flip side, no godly men have left a legacy by sitting on the couch.  

Final Thoughts Preceding 13.1

In only about forty-one and one half hours, I will be participating in my first half marathon.  These are my final thoughts following my last four mile run prior to race day...

1.  Brrr...  Advantage Aaron Johnson and the others who have trained in the Northeast.  It should not be this cold in March, race time is expected to be about 30 degrees.  But one thing I've learned about the cold and other elements is that focusing on the finish line disables distractions. 
"...let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith."  Hebrews 12:1-2

2.  Glad the neighbor chained his dog...  Between doberman bites, shin splints and nausea, the past five months have offered sufficient deterrents.  No matter what we do, there are always plenty of reasons to quit but I am glad to say I chose to continue.
"I beat my body and make it my slave so that...I myself will not be disqualified for the prize."  1 Corinthians 9:27

3.  My legs feel strong...  I truly am surprised at how good my legs felt today.  This last four miles was my fastest four miles and not because I pushed hard...from being faithful to the process.
"...we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope."  Romans 5:3-4

4.  I am slow...  My mom informed me a few months ago that according to her running days, she would easily keep up with me...I have not got much faster since then.  The good thing for me is this race is not against anyone else but against the finish line.  Sometimes victory is not determined by how many are behind you, but having nothing left before you.
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing."  2 Timothy 4:7-8

 

Focus on the finish...don't quit...stay faithful...recieve the reward. 

I hope we all stay in the race which Christ has placed us today.

The Original Starbucks

The original Starbucks in downtown Seattle doesn't have near the decor or appeal as does everyone which has come after it.  This Starbucks is full of brown cardboard boxes, they don't sell travel mugs or coffee cups off the shelf, and there are no bistro tables where one could take advantage of free wifi for hours on end.  Quite simply, this store just sells coffee.  There is a quiet confidence that comes from  saying, "We are a coffee shop, and we will sell coffee...not an image." 

During my recent travels to WA I spent many hours on a plane and just about as many in a car named Danica, she was a beaut!  During my time on the plane I had the honor to spend a significant amount of time getting to know Brett (on the way to WA) and Clint (on the way home), both of which were from the Seattle area.  These men are very different from one another, yet very similar at the same time.  Sometimes as we interact with people in our hometowns the relationships turn into productions...like extravagant local coffee shops.  But these two men carried a quiet confidence which I appreciated, much like the coffee shop that decides to "sell coffee" I found an honest realness that was not intimidated by the views we held that were different.

There was an amazing hope that swelled in my heart as I shared the depths of the gospel which I imagine these great men had never heard.  They listened with attentiveness, asked questions with inquisitiveness, and considered every word of the Scriptures.  For a moment, the gospel encountered a world which has not made room for the God of the Bible, and I will continue to pray for Clint and Brett, that they would trade in the fears of a self led life for the hope of a life in relationship with the Creator of the world. 

The gospel of Jesus is not is not in need of our fancy productions, free wifi and bistro tables.  What God has revealed to me is that the gospel of Jesus needs the homes of the Church to be less like the Starbucks chain closest to your neighborhood and more like the original...please consider how your home can become less dependant upon the gimmicks of decor and mass appeal and begin to carry a quiet confidence as you merely train your spouse and children to trust everything to the One who gave you everything.

"Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."  Ephesians 6:4

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:

Who, being in very nature God,

did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,

but made himself nothing,

taking the very nature of a servant,

being made in human likeness.

And being found in appearance as a man,

he humbled himself

and became obedient to death—

even death on a cross!

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place

and gave him the name that is above every name,

that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.  Philippians 2:5-11

Chicken and Waffles

There are two extremes when it comes to a food diet...starving and excess.  Last week was my vacation week and I should probably use this time to repent!  What on earth is a guy to do when his condo has three kinds of brownies, ice cream, and a key lime pie?  That would be like putting a boy in the dirt and telling him not to get dirty!  I was even tricked by someone in Satan's army into eating chicken and waffles with some sort of butter sauce!  But I am very pleased to say that after a week at home on a normal diet and week one of training for my first half marathon...the bloated and sluggish feeling is gone.

All that to say that there is a similar diet that we are in great need of maintaining.  Many of us are dying of starvation, our lives are weak and we do not even know why.  The answer is found when Jesus tells us that we are to live not only on steak and potatoes but also the Word of God (Matt. 4:4).  I am learning more and more every day that to take in the instruction and encouragement of Holy Scripture is exactly what it takes to strengthen my weakest areas in life.  Whether it be relationships which suffer, emotional struggles, or a lack of hope in life...taking in the God breathed words of Scripture never fail to fill the void of life.

The flip side of this conversation is the chicken and waffles, three kinds of brownies, ice cream, and key lime pie.  Just because I eat does not mean I am nourished or able to push through the day.  In my creativity I could justify the dairy and fruit of this diet...this is two of the major groups!  But it is the excess combined with idleness that does me in (surely I am not the only one to overdo a pie to the necessity of loosing the belt because it has fruit in the name!).  In John 4, the disciples were concerned about their rabbi as he had neglected his diet.  In a very odd response to a request for him to eat, Jesus tells them that he is quite satisfied by a food they don't know about.  What Jesus did here is take Matt 4:4, put the Word of God to action, and claim that this is the most strengthening his body could experience.   “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work." (John 4:34).  Calories without activity makes you sluggish, we are to put God's Word into action so the instruction does not sour in our stomach.

Over the past few weeks I have experienced a great fulfilling of this statement in my life.  It is my prayer that you too would engage in the Word of God, receive the promise of life, and have your feeble knees strengthened by the voice of our God which strikes with flashes of lightning!  (Heb 12:12, Psalm 29:7)

If you are in need of assistance in your daily diet of God's Word...contact me here or through facebook.

THE ART OF FILMS AND JOSHUA

The art of movies is able to rise up in a viewer a wide range of emotions.  As a good boyfriend does, I recall watching the notebook with my soon to be bride as she wept and sighed over people she never knew, and that weren't real for that matter.  Can you remember the outrageous laughter of a young teen who is enthralled with Monty Python's "Search for the Holy Grail" during the first of many viewings?  Whatever the film, the big screen has the capability of digging in deep to pull out a heart felt response as unique as the viewer itself.

The action packed, romantic drama that is recorded for us in the writings of Joshua have been increasingly tugging at something deep within myself...in a way that few storylines have been able to.  For your encouragement as well as my own, I will share with you what I've experienced as the storyline plays out...

Leading God's People.  Part 1.  Joshua 1:1-6
Many of us in leadership know the all too often used "everything rises and falls on leadership" quote from John Maxwell.  Well as Joshua's life unfolds through the pages of Scripture we see just how relevant leadership is in the life of God's people.  Joshua was a leader of leaders and had a list a mile long to speak of his reputation and qualifications...

Joshua's leadership began as "encourager" despite "discourgaers."  (read Numbers 14:5-10)
  -  Discouragers create doubt through why and why nots
  -  Encouragers generate courage to fulfill God sized visions
There are enough discouragers in this world telling you why God's vision for your life won't work.  I don't know if my 7th grade basketball coach was a Christian or not, but he knew what Joshua knew when he told us, "Excuses are like a rear end, everybody's got one and they all stink." (phrase cleaned up for the purpose of my readers)
God's people are living full of fear while they should be the boldest and most courageous in all the world...let us be generaters of courage through our words.

Reasons for courage:
  -  When God's people pursue God's purpose, they enjoy God's provisions (Joshua 1:3)
  -  God's promises are not if...they are when (Deut. 7:9, Romans 8:28)
     ...every place your foot WILL TREAD upon I HAVE GIVEN to you...
          I'm not English major, but it appears as if God put the cart before the horse...
          victory was won before the battle started according to His promise!
  -  God visions are not limited by man's ability (Romans 8:31)

I'll keep you in the loop as the plot thickens and the story unfolds.

Free Fall III...Shouts of Enthusiasm

When I was about 12 years old, I can remember my brother and I climbing the stairs of a look-out tower in Eureka Springs.  This was by no means a marvel of the modern engineering world...more like a big tree house.  But for two brothers who are gravely afraid of heights, you'd have thought we were climbing the sears tower with no harness.  A whopping 20 feet off the ground in this rickety stair case that seemed to sway 15 foot each way with the most gentle breeze, my 16 year old brother and myself are on bended knee...glued to the floor of this tower.  At the rate of about 30 seconds per stair, we carefully descended back to earth until we were safe and sound on solid ground.  With a deep breath and a sigh, we were free to give shouts of enthusiasm.

With two children and all that goes with raising a family, Shelli proceeded to give up the job which God has used to support our family and ministry for nearly five years.  Believing that God had spoken, we had no other option...literally, at that point we had no other options!  If we had mistaken something lesser like feelings or emotions for the greater call of God, it would show itself for what it was...at our expense.

So the free fall began...

Options began to line up for how we might support our finances and family.  With all my know how and  creativity, we began to imagine how I as "head of household" might be able to pull this off.  I came up with a great option that combined all current aspects of life together into a plan that worked financially (on paper) only to realize that as God provided the means for my wife to be at home with the kiddos, I had committed myself to work endless hours away from them.  This is where Phil 4:6-7, Prov 2:8, and Eph 3:20 were repeatedly read and prayed back to God on an hourly basis (by Shelli and myself) so that "I" didn't take down our family with human wisdom and reasoning (1 Corinthians 3:19, Prov 16:9).

I understand now why most videos of cliff jumpers is a silent film until the parachute opens or they are safely on ground...fear shuts mouths.  I am thrilled to say that the fear of gravity did not win but that God is BIGGER than my uncertainty.  One week after Shelli's career change, I received a random call from Sharon Baptist Church in Benton.  After much prayer and a thorough interview process, I  am thrilled to say that I will be the next student pastor for this wonderful church family.  God has not only granted my wife the desires of her heart to be with our children, but has done the same for me by allowing me to give my life to disciple students and young families in Christ.

Allow me to give shouts of enthusiasm for my God!  He is the Solid Rock we desire in times we feel like we are falling.  Before I leave you, allow me to remind us of a couple things God's Word tells us...

God is able to do IMMEASURABLY more than what we could dream!  Ephesians 3:20.
Delight yourself in the LORD and he WILL give you the desires of your heart.  Psalm 37:4

Free Fall...A Fear of Gravity

Heights is not the reason that I don't base jump or sky dive...gravity is.  "Gravity is an attractive force between two objects."  We've all heard that the bigger they are the harder they fall...that's not exactly right, it's not size that affects gravity but weight.  I don't jump off cliffs because I weigh enough that it would kill me to fall!   


So in life and God calling my family to make a radical change that involves jumping without a back up chute, it would be no big deal if not for the WEIGHT of the calling.  This is our family, finances, and existence we are giving up and if we FALL we FAIL.  
     
After gazing over the cliff for a few days, knowing we had to move, Shelli and I believed God had spoken and took the leap.  With no security and no plan, our family once again experiences the sensation of free falling because of a leap of faith.  I've come to the conclusion that if we desire to experience the exhilarating thrill of landing, we must overcome the fearful sensation of the free fall.  As one who knows the thrill of standing on Solid Rock, I refuse to let a fear of gravity keep me out of the game.


We've all seen those action movie scenes where sky divers are frantically working at their chutes or grabbing for the guy next to them...typically messing up everyone else's chance for survival as well.  This is me!  When I jump for God, I jump BIG!  But then I become so anxious on in the 28 second free fall, that I grasp for everything around me.  Maybe I didn't know it would take so long to find solid ground or felt like I was falling to fast?  Whatever the case...here are some verses that kept me from taking down my family and friends while Shelli resigned from her job and my career's future was unknown to say the least.


Philippians 4:4-7, Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again:  Rejoice!...Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.


Ephesians 3:20, Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory...throughout all generations.


Proverbs 2:8, ...for He guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.


Men...we MUST lead our families into these leaps of faith based only on Scripture.  If you can't support it Biblically, you can't lead Biblically.


Families...the free fall sensation cannot be experienced alone.  Both of you WILL need the strength and wisdom of the other at any given time...it's nearly impossible to regain composure mid air once you're upside down, turned around, and falling fast without help.


To be continued...