FOLLOW-UP: Give

I Once Was Blind, Right?

Ever get the sense that we, as church people, are critical at times? Think about it. It’s sad to say, but we expect the unchurched to act like they know Jesus, BUT who’s pointing the finger at us? We want the world to conform to the church, yet we don’t even act or live like we know Christ. That’s INSANE!

Quite frankly, I’m learning that it’s pretty stupid to set expectations on so-called followers of Christ, let alone the L-O-S-T. This includes ME! I’m incredibly hard on myself. I see my faults. I see my failures. I see needed improvements…

So blind…

I use the word ‘blind’ because I don’t see ALL that God is DOING in and around me. I ignore the good, the blessings, the favor, and focus on what’s NOT. NOT here. NOT happening. NOT right. NOT now. NOT yet. I’m not like the blind man healed by Jesus. More often than not, I tend to be like the Pharisees OR, better yet, I’m like the guy that gouged his own eyes out and sits around crying that he’s blind.

And Jesus said, For judgment I have come into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may be made blind. Then some of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these words, and said to Him, Are we blind also? Jesus said to them, If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, We see. Therefore your sin remains.
John 9:39-41 NKJV

Here’s what I’m trying to say, we spend entirely too much time pointing our fingers, gossiping, blaming, backbiting (I just like that phrase and WILL use it whenever the opportunity presents itself)…fighting. We claim to follow Christ. We profess faith in God’s word. We smile. But where’s the fruit? Aren’t you tired of swatting away the flies?

I struggle to live as a follower of Christ. It sucks to write this, but it’s true. BUT here’s the deal, I WANT TO BE A FOLLOWER OF CHRIST! I’m LEARNING what it means. I’m GROWING. He's at work within me. He's opening my eyes. I don’t want to live blindly! I don’t want to miss out on His power, His promises, His presence. I don’t want to claim I SEE and have my sin remain. I want eyes that SEE. I want eyes that see His GLORY. I want eyes that see my SINS and a mouth that confesses them…I want FREEDOM! I don’t just want this for myself, but pray we, as a church, experience this TOGETHER.

Let’s clean up His house. Let’s get dirty, well actually, let’s get CLEAN! Let’s come together, united, as one, and pursue a lifestyle worthy of existing within the pages of Scripture. When Peter and John stood before the Sanhedrin it was EVIDENT they had been WITH Jesus (Acts 4:13). What if our community saw this in the local church?

It’s time to stop criticizing others. It’s time to stop pointing out those specks and start removing those logs. Why can’t we SEE them? Blindness. It’s time for a paradigm shift—it’s time to change our perspective and actually WANT to change. It’s not easy. It sucks. But it’s the first step in seeing the surplus of POTENTIAL in the local church be UNLEASHED!

Are you ready? Are you willing? Are you in?

Believing That I Belong

What’s up New Life? Here are THREE things I wanted to share with you today:

For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 3:26 NLT

1. He loves you as HIS CHILD…in case you were wondering, that’s a love that will NEVER fail, NEVER give up, NEVER walk out on you. You are HIS! The crazy part is that it is UNCONDITIONAL! There’s no fear of abandonment or rejection. Talk about BEST intentions! He wants to see you succeed in EVERY endeavor, in EVERY aspect of your life! He wants to BLESS you! Because of your faith in Jesus, God looks down upon as His son, as His daughter. THAT’S encouraging!

2. Have FAITH in He who will NEVER fail…Scripture tells us that it is because of our FAITH, because we BELIEVE that God raised Jesus from the dead (coupled with confessing that he is Lord) that we are SAVED. Salvation is not the result of ANYTHING you DO. It’s not a matter of works. Salvation, your entryway into heaven, your ticket to an eternity in the presence of God, is based on your FAITH and faith ALONE! Life is gonna suck sometimes, but TRUST that God will help you see it through to the VERY END…and then BLESS you beyond your wildest imagination (if you don’t believe me, read the book of Job)!

3. It’s ALL ABOUT JESUS!...do I really need to say more? I don’t have time to maintain these regrets, when I think about the way He loves us (thank you, John Mark McMillan)! How can I possibly hold on to bitterness and resentment while covered by the shadow of a blood-stained cross? I just don’t have it in me; at least not anymore. I had to realize it wasn’t about me! It’s not about ME! IT’S NOT ABOUT YOU! He didn’t tear the veil in two so it could blind us…he did it so we could experience FREEDOM!

Take my life take all that I am. With all that am I will love you.
Take my heart take all that I have. Jesus how I adore you.
Like An Avalanche:Hillsong United

Breaking Free From the Curse

Ticking away the moments that make up a dull day
You fritter and waste the hours in an offhand way
Kicking around on a piece of ground in your home town
Waiting for someone or something to show you the way
Tired of lying in the sunshine staying home to watch the rain
You are young and life is long and there is time to kill today
And then one day you find ten years have got behind you
No one told you when to run, you missed the starting gun
Time 6:53 PF

Ok. I know. New Life, I can sorta guess what you’re thinking, “Why is Nick quoting lyrics from a Pink Floyd song?” This CAN be a touchy subject, but I think that’s only the case if you’re what people would consider uptight. You see, I serve the Creator of ALL things. He is the OWNER of all that I know. We are all merely STEWARDS of what He’s given us. We either use it for HIM or ourselves. And with this said, I believe there is music out there, I believe there are songs that have within them redeeming qualities. Resurrection. Anyways, enough chasing that one…

So, for whatever reason, well I believe the reason was God trying to speak to me; this song came to mind this morning. It just sorta popped in my head. For the first time I heard the lyrics; for up to this point I had only ever meditated on the music. If you’ve never listened to Pink Floyd before, they’re AWESOME. Their music tells a story. Their music paints a picture. But this morning was different. I heard the lyrics.

Think about it. These lyrics sum up about 90% of the stories I hear from people who are stuck in a season of discontent.

• I feel like I’m not doing ANYTHING of importance.
• All I do is WASTE time.
• I like it here because it’s COMFORTABLE.
• I’m WAITING for the right moment.
• I’m sick and tired of doing the SAME OL’THING.
• Where’d my life GO?

Seriously!?! Where DID my life go? What have I DONE with my life? If my life matters, when will I start living like I believe it? Have you been there before? Are you here now?

All I can tell you is this: put God first. Put God first in EVERY aspect of your life and just WATCH what He does! He’s going to bless your socks off! Until He is first, whatever you’re doing, whatever you’re struggling in, whatever IT is, it will be cursed. Like Pastor Brandan said yesterday, “If He ain’t first, it’s cursed.”

"Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. "But you ask, 'How are we robbing you?'
"In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me.
Malachi 3:8-9 NIV

If we don’t place God in His rightful place, if don’t worship Him FIRST, above ALL OTHER THINGS, we’ll never know what it means to be blessed. The good news is that this curse can be BROKEN. Put Him first.

Put God first and discover what is important.
Put God first and learn to manage your time.
Put God first and get uncomfortable—in other words…GROW.
Put God first and find out the right moment is right NOW.
Put God first and do His thing.
Put God first and realize you HAVE life.

So what’ll it be New Life? Your way or His way? Curse or freedom?

Put Him first.

I'm so grateful, BUT...

Ok. Thanksgiving has come and gone. The ONE day out of the year, yes, ONE day out of 365 that we finally look around at all we have, fighting the temptation to see all we DO NOT have, and give THANKS for food, shelter, and family. We eat. And we eat. And we eat some more. It’s a great day! There’s no arguing that. I love it. I’m a fan of food. I enjoy family. Yes, so back to this notion, this concept of thanksgiving or GRATITUDE.

Ever get around people that just can’t seem to find ANYTHING to ignite even a tiny spark of gratitude? These people feel as if the entire world is against them. These people are somehow always the victim of SOMETHING. Nothing goes their way. It’s just tragedy after tragedy after tragedy. Still not ringing a bell? Allow me to paint a picture on the canvas…

This person, should they fall down and scrape their knee, screams and cries because for SURE the world is ending. It hurt. There’s no denying that. There’s even a hint of red where blood might be trying to work its way through a barrier of skin. They want a band aid. A band aid would go a LONG way to help the situation. Knowing this, you run into the house, grab a band aid from the cabinet and run back outside like you’re passing a baton in the summer Olympics. WHAT!?! A HELLO KITTY BAND AID! What am I supposed to do with that? I’ll be FINE!

Sound familiar now?

Chances are YOU have scraped your knee.
Chances are YOU spit on the help because it wasn’t on your terms.
I have.

It’s tough to be grateful when everything must be on our terms, your terms, my terms. When we establish OUR terms we also set OUR expectations. When our expectations aren’t met, instead of being filled with gratitude or speaking words like thank you, we get angry and frustrated and go on the attack. We put on our Godzilla suit and run around stomping on cars and buildings.

We’re not alone. Check out this story from Mark. Jesus heals a dude and instead of being met with thanks, instead of the townspeople finding hope in a miracle…

The herdsmen fled to the nearby town and the surrounding countryside, spreading the news as they ran. People rushed out to see what had happened. A crowd soon gathered around Jesus, and they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons. He was sitting there fully clothed and perfectly sane, and they were all afraid. Then those who had seen what happened told the others about the demon-possessed man and the pigs. And the crowd began pleading with Jesus to go away and leave them alone.
Mark 5:14-17 NLT

…they asked him to leave. Can you believe that? Here’s this crazy guy, you probably have one in your development, you probably have one in your family, you might even BE that person, but the crazy dude is healed. Think about it! They never had to worry about him running through the fields and hills, their backyards, their schools, whatever, wherever. Yet, they didn’t see this. They just saw the pigs. They saw dust.

Don’t miss out on God’s blessings. Don’t miss out on what He’s trying to do in your life simply because it doesn’t meet your expectations, because it’s not on your terms. Try words like thank you. Be consumed by gratitude. You can’t say Jesus is your EVERYTHING or that he has ALL OF YOU if you struggle to find gratitude. Something ELSE stands between you two. I know I’ve been there.

As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon possessed begged to go with him. But Jesus said, “No, go home to your family, and tell them everything the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been.”
Mark 5:18-19 NLT

Again, it’s not up to us. He determines the path. He lights the way. The man wanted to go with Jesus, but Jesus had OTHER plans for him. The man didn’t respond by screaming and crying and cussing and fighting. He didn’t throw a fit. He OBEYED.

The question today is, are you still trying to do your OWN thing or are you surrendering to do HIS thing? Are you flipping him the bird or FOLLOWING his lead?

FOLLOW-UP: Write Your Testimony

What's it take to get you EXCITED?

New Life, I am so PUMPED for what God is doing IN me, THROUGH me, and AROUND me. I have actually reached a point in my life right now, my DAILY walk with Him, that I can FEEL Him near. I can’t tell you what’s changed in my life. I don’t think I’ve changed anything in my routine. I’m not sure what’s changed…

that is…

I have performed an extreme makeover, yes, one worthy of its own reality show, on my daily quiet time. I no longer wake up trying to juggle exercise, breakfast, school buses, signing papers, brushing hairs, putting on socks, etc. etc. etc. OH AND reading what little of God’s word I can sneak in amidst the commotion and chaos.

I pray.
I read.
I write (respond).

Granted I still prepare the kids’ breakfast. I still get clothes ready for school. I still ensure papers are signed and bags are put together. I still walk them to the bus stop and wave as the wheels on the bus go round and round. What’s changed? I set myself aside. I severed MY desires and now focus on those that matter the MOST: Jesus + my kids.

Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me.
Luke 9:23 NLT

I want to FOLLOW Jesus. Let me say that again, I want to FOLLOW Jesus. I don’t want to sit on the sidelines. I don’t want to be a bystander. I don’t want to be someone that catches a glimpse of his glory. I don’t want to be someone that WISHES they had done SOMETHING. I don’t want to become so preoccupied with what I want to do that I miss what He wants to do through me or BETTER YET, through my family. I get so dang EXCITED when I think about my family, my wife, my children. They could be the most AWESOME people I know!

So, if I want to follow Jesus, here’s what he said I gotta do:

1. TURN FROM my selfish ways
2. TAKE UP my cross

Two things! Two freakin’ things! The problem is that these are two of the HARDEST things to do in this world! GREAT to read about; stressful to implement. But here’s the deal, Jesus didn’t say it would be easy, he said we’d be persecuted. He said the world would hate me…because it hated him. Who wants that? Who wants persecution? All I know is that if Jesus said to do it, if Jesus said it would be the natural result of following HIM, then I’m all in. I’ll take it.

God help me find joy.

In the end I guess I do know what’s changed—I have. As I have decreased, he has had more and more room to increase. As I have set aside my selfish desires, he has had more room to make his known.

I guess the question today is what are you holding on to that’s holding you back? What do you continue doing that’s got you locked in bondage? You need to find freedom from something, don’t deny it, don’t brush it aside, don’t ignore it…

Today, will you turn away from your selfish ways?

I Will Pursue the One Who Pursues Me

What have I achieved? What have I done? What have I created? What can I claim as my own? Who am I and, in the grand scheme of things, amongst the seemingly endless pages of history, does my life matter? Have I made a difference? Will I make a difference?

These are GREAT questions to ask. I believe as husbands, as wives, as parents, as leaders, as pastors, as volunteers…as followers of Christ, we need to be willing to ask ourselves the DIFFICULT questions. We must be willing to critically evaluate every aspect of our lives. I must be willing to admit my FAULTS. I must be willing to acknowledge my WEAKNESSES. I must be willing to accept HELP.

You see, I AM the creator of something; that something just happens to be CRAP! Allow me to list a few synonyms for crap (in alphabetical order). Abandonment. Anxiety. Division. Doubt. Fear. Heartache. Pain. Self-pity. Suffering. Tears. I could sit here ALL DAY LONG listing failure after failure, after all, on my own that is what I create—failures.

Great way to start your day, right? Well New Life, here’s the deal, let’s be honest, let’s say what NEEDS to be said not what we WANT to hear: on my own, on your own, we are like a pig wallowing in its own filth. Watch a pig. It doesn’t seem to mind it. It’s not bothered by the stench of its own crap. We’ll even have kids and raise them in our crap so they can grow up believe there’s nothing better. Life is crap so LIVE IN IT!

Here’s the crazy part, I’ve escaped the pigpen. I, by the grace of God, have been RESCUED from my mess. I’ve been REDEEMED. I’ve been RANSOMED. My eyes have seen the fulfillment of His promises. My mouth has tasted the sweetness of His breath. My heart has been filled with an overwhelming joy. YET! Amidst all this goodness, amidst all this grandeur, amidst His presence and power…I STILL try to scurry back to my own filth…

I need help…
You need help…
God SAVE us…

I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
Philippians 3:12-14 NLT

Regardless of who you are, regardless of your age, your gender, your ethnicity, your cultural background…regardless of the length of time you’ve known Jesus as your Savior…you’ll NEVER get it. You’ll never ARRIVE. The ONLY thing you and I can comprehend, the ONLY thing we can grasp, the ONLY arrival we’ll experience is when we arrive at the conclusion that we NEED a Savior.

This happens when we realize that we cannot do it on our own.

Here’s what Paul said:

1. I have NOT achieved perfection
2. I PRESS ON toward perfection
3. Perfection is FOUND IN Jesus.

Paul was ACTIVELY pursuing Jesus. It takes WORK! It takes EFFORT! It’s HARD! It’s FOR everyone, but the majority will choose the broad road because it is EASY.

Which road will you walk today? Will you continue believing the LIE that you’ve somehow got it all figured out or will you PURSUE the Savior of the world?

Today, will you climb out of the pigpen?

It's Not Over! He's Not Done!

SOMEBODY today is having an out-of-body experience. SOMEBODY today feels as if they’re on the outside looking IN. SOMEBODY today is feeling anxious, critical, and self-defeating. Chances are that somebody is YOU. I write this without any sense of conviction, as far as writing the TRUTH goes, because this is often me.

I get stuck in that “I’m not good enough” place; you know, that dark and dirty place where you step out of yourself, at least in Christ, and look at your life through your OWN eyes. I forget to see myself in Jesus and instead see my weaknesses, my failures, my fears, my worries. I forget that I serve a God who IS working in me. I forget that I serve a God who IS near me. I forget that I serve a God who IS in love with me.

The word ‘is’ IS crucial. It communicates the fact that He IS…here, present, everywhere. It pierces the darkness of my self-inflicted depression; it illuminates those dark areas with the idea that my God is ACTIVE. He IS. In His words, “I am.”

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
Philippians 1:6 NLT

Check it out…Paul said he was CERTAIN. That means he understood it to be a FACT. It’s the TRUTH. Certainty means you can be assured that it has happened, will happen, and will continue to happen. God’s NOT DONE WITH YOU. Maybe you need to hear that today: God’s not done with you. I need to hear that.

You don’t understand Nick, I’ve relapsed. He can HEAL you.
You don’t understand Nick, I’ve stumbled. He can HELP you.
You don’t understand Nick, I’ve reached the end. He can REVIVE you.
You don’t understand Nick, I’ve walked out on my marriage and my kids. He can RESTORE that which was lost.

There’s NOTHING He CAN’T do! It’s all His! I don’t know about you, but I take great comfort in knowing that. I find assurance in knowing that the Creator of the universe, the One who made everything I see with mere words, is in charge. If He can do that, I can only imagine what He can and will do in me.

Remember this:

1. It’s HIS work.
2. He’s working WITHIN you.
3. He will FINISH what He started.

It’s not a matter of you being good enough, it’s not a matter of me being good enough…we’ll NEVER be good enough. JESUS is good enough. Jesus is MORE than enough. His goodness dwelling within you IS GOOD ENOUGH!

So, what will it be? Will you dwell on what you’re NOT or who you are IN CHRIST!

A Life Without Prayer is No Life at All

What do you EXPECT from God? Do you expect ANYTHING? Yes, I’m talking about praying, asking, requesting, petitioning God for SOMETHING. As children we create lists for Santa. We take the time to write out our heart’s desires. I’m serious! Think back to when you were a kid. Did you hold back on that list? Did you think to yourself, “Nah…that’s too BIG, too GREAT, too MUCH.” I wasn’t afraid. I didn’t hold back. I BELIEVED Santa would and could deliver ANYTHING and EVERTHING I could think of.

My God is GREATER!

Santa is a dude that I rarely saw. If I think back throughout my childhood, I caught momentary glimpses of the white beard and red suit at best. Christmas would roll around and Santa would appear on a giant chair at Nordstrom. He smiled. He was jovial. He was an ILLUSION. Here today, gone tomorrow. Yet, as a child, I was moved by those brief moments, the fading memories, and held on to a hope that he would DELIVER each and every year.

My God is PRESENT!

New Life, you don’t have to cling to momentary glimpses of God. He is HERE! He is NOW! He is ALWAYS! Santa wants to help you encounter a moment of happiness; God wants to redeem you for an ETERNITY. There’s no need to wait. There’s no line to stand in. There’s no fee to pay. He’s here. He’s there. He’s ready. He’s waiting. Check this out:

Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God.
2 Corinthians 7:1 NLT

This verse, by itself, is GREAT, but yet remains somehow incomplete. I say ‘great’ because it communicates the spiritual principle of cleansing our bodies, our SELF, from all the junk that we put IN it and do TO it. But here’s where I believe it’s ‘incomplete’—what the heck are “these promises”? Well, if you read the end of the previous chapter Paul shares God’s words:

I will live IN them
I will walk AMONG them
I will be THEIR God
They will be MY people
I will be your FATHER
You will be my SONS and DAUGHTERS

THAT’S encouraging! I read this and I hear a God speak to me personally. I hear Him say, “Nick, I LOVE you. You are my SON. I’m here WITH you. I will provide for your EVERY need. ASK.”

He’s more than an illusion. He’s more than a seasonal glimpse of happiness. He is GOD. He’s always here. He deserves your list. He will deliver. You don’t have to wait until the end of the year to share your heart’s desire; His ear is tuned to your voice at ALL TIMES.

Will you TRUST Him? Ask.

Combating Surface Level Preferences

Ever felt as if God was speaking to your through a song? Like, it’s as if the words you’re hearing, the very words you’re SINGING, are words that He fully intended for you to hear. Just as God once inspired the human hand to pen His word, I believe He continues to whisper in our ears, to fill our hearts, to guide our hands. I believe He’s still here. I believe He’s still moving us and shaking us and inspiring us to communicate HIS message of hope, His message of grace.

HIS message.

There was a time when I paid little attention to the lyrics of a song. I didn’t care WHAT the artist had to say. I just liked the music. I liked the sound. I liked how it made me want to move. I liked how it made me feel. I liked it at a surface level. I was NEVER prompted to go any deeper. I didn’t care about the artist. I didn’t want to know if there was a story behind the song. I didn’t care.

I look back now at some of the songs I used to sing around the house and I’m like, “What was I thinking?” The problem was, and I believe STILL IS for many of us, I DIDN’T CARE. It was just another mindless activity. Like holding your arm in the air while lying down on the couch. Or bouncing your leg while sitting in a chair. Or chewing the skin around your fingernail. I do it without THINKING about it. Seriously! Who wants their 6th grader singing about “O.P.P.”? Yeah, not good…

At first, I was highly resistant to Christian music. I thought it was LAME at best. It all sounded the same. I imagined each artist singing with a smile and an arm raised and it just turned me off. Change the radio station. Turn on talk radio. Listen to classic rock. ANYTHING but this (or country)! Then I attended a “contemporary” church and for the first time I SAW the lyrics to the songs. I stopped listening to the MUSIC and started to hear the WORDS.

I realized the power of music wasn’t found in MY preferences, but in the words. What about the songs without words? What about those instrumentals? Again, the power wasn’t found in MY preferences, but in the story the artist was trying to tell, the picture that was being painted. The mood. The ambience.

I was reminded of this last night, when I purchased the album “Aftermath” by Hillsong United. The first time I listened to it, which was a few months back, I didn’t “like” it. I had become so accustomed to their LIVE sound that I was unwilling to listen to a studio mix. LAME, right? I was an idiot. Again, MY preferences got in the way.

It’s not about me.
It’s not about what I like.
It’s ALL about Jesus and HIS story.

He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the LORD.
Psalm 40:3 NLT

1. He GIVES us the song.
2. The song is to PRAISE God.
3. The song TELLS what God’s done and LEADS people to trust in Him.

Music is POWERFUL. Music is HIS. I don't care what genre, how explicit the lyrics, how it sounds, nothing, it’s ALL HIS! I’d argue that His influence varies from song to song, but regardless, it’s all His. I missed out on this principle for a LONG time. It’s His.

What have you been listening to lately? Whose influence is evident in the music you listen to? Who’s leading and guiding your day?

If Martin Luther Could Do It...

Have you ever felt unsettled? Have you ever felt as if there was SOMETHING that needed to be done about something and honestly believed you had an idea that might work or an urge to help in some way? Has there been a time like this in your life, maybe it’s happening RIGHT NOW, and for some reason, a reason you can’t quite grasp, a reason that remains just out of reach, you decided to choose silence or let it go?

What stopped you?

What kept you from sharing your idea?

What held you back from taking action?

I believe that many of us, no, MOST of us, don’t want to stir the pot. We don’t want to be the one to shake things up. We don’t want to be THAT person. So, what do we do? We choose sit idly by and allowing the same old thing to happen over and over and over again. This is not how God created us. This is not who He called us to be.

Too often we view each other in light of competition instead of COOPERATION. We choose to undermine, go behind, and talk about one another instead of join forces and tackle this thing UNIFIED, TOGETHER, as ONE. God says we are ONE body. Check this out:

And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.
Colossians 3:15-16 NLT

As I mentioned in yesterday’s blog, we ALL want peace. If you say you don’t, you’re lying. Straight up lying. It’s here, in these words, that Paul gives us some GREAT principles to apply to our marriages, our workplaces, our parenting, our EVERYTHING:

1. SURRENDER your heart to Christ.
2. Peace is the byproduct of UNITY.
3. Good or bad, high or low, be THANKFUL.
4. Live the GOSPEL.
5. Unity grows out of ACCOUNTABILITY.

So easy to read. So difficult to implement. Think about this though: what is the result of turning these ideas, these concepts, these principles, into a reality? What’s the alternative? The more I read God’s word the more it just MAKES SENSE. Had I known there was this much truth dwelling within the pages of Scripture I woulda read it, memorized it, and lived it out a LONG time ago.

If I choose to remain silent, if I choose to remain still, if I choose to walk away, to let go, to not get involved, I’m choosing the OPPOSITE of what God intends for us as the body of Christ.

I’m choosing control over SURRENDER.

I’m choosing chaos over PEACE.

I’m choosing division over UNITY.

I’m choosing bitterness over THANKFULness.

I’m choosing my will over the GOSPEL.

I’m choosing enabling over ACCOUNTABILITY.

You might feel as if you are asked to do EVERYTHING, but empowered to do NOTHING; however, nothing will change until you step up and speak out. Be empowered. Be courageous. Be who God wants you to be, not who you believe you are. Remember this, He’s alive within you. Live as if you believe it.

And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.
Colossians 3:17 NLT

Do you believe it?

Gene Wilder is My Hero

Are you familiar with the movie Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory? It is arguably the BEST movie EVER created! It’s quite possible that this is merely the opinion of the author; however, do not be deceived, it is a FACT. I have zero knowledge regarding his faith, or lack thereof; BUT, I would stand before God and petition that he be allowed in regardless simply for his honest, loving, humble, sincere portrayal of Willy Wonka and how I believe it may have planted the seed that eventually grew into my own faith in Christ…but enough about that…

So, back to the movie—there’s a character in the movie that goes by the name of Veruca Salt. She’s a bit of an unsavory character, salt that has lost its saltiness? Possibly. She has one of the most annoying and yet profoundly poetic songs in the movie. She SCREAMS the line, “Don’t care how, I WANT IT NOW!” Assertive? Yes. Veruca knew what she wanted and she was willing to beg for it, not so much FIGHT for it. She was a bad egg.

I am a bad egg.

I sometimes have patience for NOTHING and yet a desire to have EVERYTHING. I want it NOW! I want it MY WAY! I want! I want! I WANT! I find myself lost in a watered-down illusion of gratitude. I live a lie. I’m not grateful for what I HAVE, but what I WANT. That’s freakin’ ridiculous!

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
Philippians 4:6 NKJV

I think it just might be possible that my blood-type is ANXIOUS. That’s definitely a NEGATIVE blood-type. I see what someone else is doing and I WANT it. I see the success that someone else is finding and I WANT it. I see how God is blessing someone else and I WANT it. I could just hear God now, “Are you KIDDING ME?!? Look at ALL I’ve given you! Open your eyes before I TAKE IT ALL AWAY!” This is how I know there’s still a work taking place within me. If God didn’t have to lean over and scream in my face every once in a while I’d either be dead or far from Him.

In this verse God gives us a bit of knowledge, something to walk away with…

1. DON’T be anxious for anything. Relax.
2. DO ask God for everything. Pray.
3. BE consumed by gratitude. Thanks.

The crazy part is this isn’t even the BEST part of what God wants us to know. This is merely the beginning. This is only half the statement. He’s only illustrating what He WANTS us to do, but then He says why:

and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7 NKJV

Patience leads to peace. My life seems chaotic at times. I’m tugged and pulled and torn in a hundred different directions. I get tired. I get cranky. I offer a fraction of my best. I WANT PEACE! Who doesn’t? Do you want to experience peace? If you just answered no, you’re lying. When you put these two verses together the picture becomes clear. I can SEE what God wants me to SEE.

Chaos is the product of an anxious heart.
Peace is the result of trust and reliance in the Lord.

I don’t know what you want today. I can’t speak for you. I can only tell you that I want peace. I want rest. I want to KNOW Him. I want to live FOR Him. I want to trust IN Him.

What will you choose?

Smokin' What I'm Sellin'

I recently read a tweet by Perry Noble that, at first, I thought was amusing, I found it to be funny, but it caused me to think and think HARD. After the laughter dissipated I was left with many questions. Here, let me quote the tweet before continuing any further: 

A leader who isn't "smokin' what he's sellin'" will not be a leader worth following! Before THEY can believe it YOU must believe it! 

He tweeted this on October 31st. Here I am 11 days later and it’s STILL spinning around in my head. I can’t let them go. It’s not a matter of catch and release, but catch and dissect. Sometimes God speaks to you in the wildest ways! I’m learning to keep my eyes and ears open at ALL times. So, back to this idea, this concept of being your own best customer…

Do I BELIEVE what I’m reading?
Do I BELIEVE what I’m teaching?
Do I BELIEVE what I’m singing?
Do I BELIEVE what I’m writing?

I have said it before and I’ll say it again, you can’t take someone where you’re not. What I mean is you can only fake it for so long before it’s all uncovered, before the truth comes out. If you’re unhappy, your smile will lose its shine. If you’re stuck, your trail ends. If you’re neglecting the #1 relationship in your life (the VERTICAL, i.e. with God), the radiant glow of your face dies out.

I’m still new to this game. I’m still learning and growing. Yes, I refer to it as a game because there are winners and losers and, ultimately, there is a score kept between heaven and hell. I believe my job, that is, as a player in the game, is to RUN THE SCORE UP on hell. To do this, to keep my head in the game, I gotta first BELIEVE there is even a game being played! I gotta believe that God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are here, WITH ME, and they are SENDING me plays, HELPING me make them happen, GUIDING my every move!

This isn’t anything new. You’ve probably thought this to yourself before, but maybe you just didn’t say it or write it down or share it with someone else. I didn’t come up with this idea. Perry Noble didn’t either (he just contextualized it to our culture, which WORKS!). Grab your Bible and read 1 Corinthians, Paul addresses this very issue. 

But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.
1 Corinthians 9:27 NKJV 

If you don’t believe what you’re preaching, SHUT UP! The world is full of hypocrites. Christians have been labeled as hypocrites for years because we TALK A LOT OF TALK, but refuse to LIVE IT OUT. We judge. We chastise. We throw stones (some throw boulders). Stop looking around the room at others and look in the mirror. God’s work in this world starts with YOU. 

Leaders you gotta buy into your OWN vision before anyone else will. Paul uses the word disqualified—meaning you’re done, you’re out, you don’t belong, your ability to participate has been revoked.

Leaders, are you IN or OUT?
Parents, are you IN or OUT?
Teachers, are you IN or OUT?
Pastors, are you IN or OUT?
Nick, are you IN or OUT?

I’m in.

Banging Your Head Against the Wall

God has been doing a work in me that I simply CANNOT and know that I SHOULD NOT keep to myself. I don’t believe God EVER does a work in us that He intends for us to horde, to keep to ourselves. I don’t want to have a house that is full of old newspapers, dirty dishes, clothes, and dead cats…I want a house that is clean because I’ve kept NOTHING.

On the way to my office this morning, walking down the hall, lost in thought as I usually am, I noticed a dead fly on the windowsill. Well, it was NEARLY dead. It was DYING. I stopped. I watched it lying there on its back. Helpless. Hopeless. And God grabbed a hold of me, and it wasn’t audible, but God simply said, “Nick, that’s you.”

“WHAT?!?” was my response. Let’s get this straight; if you feel like you can’t question God or even get mad at Him you’re wrong. He WANTS to hear from you. He WANTS to know you’re ALIVE. So, with this in mind, I yelled, “WHAT?!?”

Here’s what He told me…

You’re just like that fly. You have a big vision. You can see GREAT and WONDERFUL things right in front of you. You can see what lies ahead. Everything seems within reach. You can see out that window, but you can’t figure out how to get THROUGH it. You’re going to die lying on your back in front of that window, along with the vision I’VE given you, because you won’t ask me to break it down…to knock it out…to make a way.

Needless to say I spent the next 15 minutes crushed. Weeping. Sobbing.

I’m tired of trying to break through the window. I’ve grown weary of SEEING what’s in store, but not being able to REACH it. I can’t do it alone. Think of it this way, living FOR Jesus means allowing him to live THROUGH you.

Paul had Timothy remain in Ephesus due to a growing concern that people trusted more in themselves than in God. More flies.

When I left for Macedonia, I urged you to stay there in Ephesus and stop those whose teaching is contrary to the truth. Don’t let them waste their time in endless discussion of myths and spiritual pedigrees. These things only lead to meaningless speculations, which don’t help people live a life of faith in God. The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith. But some people have missed this whole point. They have turned away from these things and spend their time in meaningless discussions.
1 Timothy 1:3-6 NLT

Paul identifies 3 keys to living as a healthy Christian:

1. PURE heart
2. CLEAR conscious
3. GENUINE faith

Here’s where Scripture can seem to smack you in the face. It’s so clear. It’s so convicting. Paul says that if you’re not, if I’M not making these things a priority then I am just wasting my time in meaningless discussions…that I’ve MISSED THE WHOLE POINT. Get out of here! He actually says that the OTHER stuff we get focused on doesn’t help. It’s a distraction.

God says, focus on me and you’ll actually SEE the window. You’ll SEE the obstacle. You’ll SEE you need Me.

Are you going to keep banging your head against the window or are you going to DECLARE that today, I will TRUST GOD!

FOLLOW-UP: Relapse

His Promises Are REAL

Life is NOT easy. Staples can't possibly make a button that's big enough. Burger King can't possibly make everything MY way right away. My E-ZPass only applies to the toll road.

I'm going to face obstacles. I'm going to stumble and fall. I'm going to be hurt, betrayed, criticized, talked about, and so much more. It'll feel like life's not fair. I'll be tempted to give up. There will be an overwhelming desire inside of me to throw my hands in the air and walk away. Sometimes life just SUCKS! 

Interestingly enough, it's during these times that I often find myself encouraged. I'm encouraged because I know that it's not the end. I'm encouraged because I know that my story doesn't end here. I know there is something GREATER that I've yet to experience. I face moments of struggle and strife, but they are fleeting moments. Here and gone. Oh my goodness though, just because I know they are brief, it doesn't make them any easier. I cry. I get frustrated. I'm reminded of my desperate need to TRUST in the Lord.

Check out what the Israelites went through:

The Lord will comfort Israel again and have pity on her ruins. Her desert will blossom like Eden, her barren wilderness like the garden of the Lord. Joy and gladness will be found there. Songs of thanksgiving will fill the air.

Isaiah 51:3 NLT

WOW! I'm ENCOURAGED by this passage of Scripture. Let's see what we can learn from it.

1. He'll transform the bleakest darkest moment into the radiance of hope.
2. Trusting in the Lord leads to JOY and GLADNESS.
3. God's work is so AWESOME you can't help but CELEBRATE.

You might feel like you've been handed a bad deal. You might feel as if right, in this moment, life just isn't fair. You might be ready to quick, to walk away. HEAR ME, your story doesn't end here! His promises are REAL! In the midst of all the crap that life seems to throw at you, He's there reaching out to you.

Will you reach out to him?

A Much Needed Dose of Leadership Reality

Do you ever have those moments when things just simply seem to be falling into place? Do you ever have those moments when NOTHING seems to go wrong? Do you ever have those moments when it seems like EVERYTHING you touch turns to gold?

Sounds awesome right?

I think I’ve caught a glimpse of this. I believe there are moments in my life, probably each week, that I see this happening, at least briefly. What an amazing feeling it is. I’d like to figure out how to plant myself there permanently. The problem is this: I’m HUMAN. I tend to make mistakes. I LOVE trying new things. I get EXCITED and want to run to the finish line. It’s crazy.

I’m learning to live somewhere between SAFE and RISK. I am a jump out of the boat kinda guy. I don’t care what the weather is like. I don’t care how far from shore I am. I’M JUMPING IN! Problems occur when I neglect to acknowledge all the others riding in the boat with me. I jump and assume everyone else is jumping with me.

Where’s the PREPARATION?
Where’s the PLANNING?
Where’s the PROVISION?

Thank you, God, for people like Joshua. Thank you, for providing us, for providing ME with biblical examples of leadership. Check this out…

No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you. “Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:5-9 NLT

Joshua didn’t jump out of the boat, he was PUSHED. It was like BAM! you’re leading My people. BOOM! you’re the man now. I would have been scared out of my mind. I AM scared out of my mind. Here’s what’s interesting, God doesn’t say be scared, He says be STRONG and COURAGEOUS. God actually says do NOT be afraid! He knew there were going to be times when obstacles appeared too big. He knew there were going to be situations when the risk seemed too great. God knew the only chance, the only HOPE for success was found in Him, to trust in Him, to rely upon Him.

So, here we are, back to Joshua. He’s just become the leader of the Israelites. Moses is gone, his glowing face finally laid to rest, and now here’s this young dude thrust into the limelight. Stress much? And here’s where I need to take a page from Joshua’s leadership handbook. He calls a meeting. He opens a line of communication.

Joshua then commanded the officers of Israel,
Joshua 1:10

Then Joshua called together the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh.
Joshua 1:12

He was fully aware of the people riding in the boat with him. He didn’t jump in and hope they would follow. He shared the plan. He identified the mission. He called his people up alongside him to do it TOGETHER.

WOW! Thank you, God, that Your word is ALIVE still speaks to us centuries later. This doesn’t simply apply to leadership, but relationships, marriages, friendships, business deals, and so much more! Lord, give me a heart like Joshua. Lord, give me wisdom like Solomon.

God’s given you a vision. Who do you need to share it with today?

Get out of Bed

Being involved in a recovery program has been AMAZING. It helps keep me grounded. I’m more alert. I am surrounded by people who are not afraid to ask me how I’m doing, not merely in passing, but with a willingness to really listen. I’m reminded throughout the week to work the Steps, to work the Principles, to grow. Complacency is NOT an option.

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.
Romans 12:3 TNIV

Complacency is dangerous. It reminds of that feeling you get in the morning when your bed is warm, it’s comfortable, and you’re all wrapped up in these big blankets; HOWEVER, just outside the covers it’s cold and uninviting. Who wants to leave the warmth of the bed to be cold? Who wants to trade comfort for discomfort?

Been there?

This is why I say complacency is dangerous. It’s that giant blanket that’s got us all wrapped up, keeping us warm, ensuring our comfort. It’s so big, it’s so thick, that it gradually suffocates us and we don’t even know it. THAT’S dangerous! Complacency is killing you and you don’t even know it.

I’ve got this handled.
I’ve got this beat.
I don’t need accountability.
I can do this on my own.

Oops! For whatever reason, I’ve allowed myself to fall back into old habits. For ‘whatever reason’? The reason is glaringly OBVIOUS; you just can’t see or hear through your blanket. God warns us to not think more highly of ourselves than we ought. In other words, don’t fool yourself into thinking you’ve got this thing called life all figure out.

So long as you continue to choose comfort over discipline, God will continue to bless and use those AROUND you. Before you can change the world, God wants to first change you.

Are you willing to get out of bed? Will you take that first step?

Optimus Primes Gets It Done

Then the LORD said to Elijah, “Go to the east and hide by Kerith Brook, near where it enters the Jordan River. Drink from the brook and eat what the ravens bring you, for I have commanded them to bring you food.”
1 Kings 17:2-4 NLT

What?!? How does this make sense? This is the kinda stuff that kept me AWAY from even remotely accepting what the Bible had to say as truth. As a matter of fact, this is the stuff that I used as ammunition to fire shots at Christianity and organized religion in general. It’s crap! It’s fairy tale stuff! Fed by ravens? Sounds like a bad Mad Max movie or a scene out of Conan the Barbarian…or so I thought.

These are the stories that simply cannot and do not make sense until your doubt transforms into faith. I’m talkin’ about some Optimus Prime semi-truck to giant robot transformation. Disbelief becomes belief. Cynicism becomes acceptance. Doubt becomes faith.

No part of my brain says this makes any sense. I’m not even talking about the ravens feeding Elijah like he’s at Applebee’s. I’m talking about the creation of the universe—the sun, the moon, the stars. I’m talking about floods that wipe out the world. I’m talking about giant bodies of water parting, yes PARTING, so people could walk on dry land. I’m talking about God. I’m talking about Jesus. I’m talking about the cross. I’m talking about the empty tomb. I’m talking about eternity. I’m talking about faith.

Faith DOESN’T make sense! That’s why it’s called faith. I believe, but I question my faith. I’m analytical. I like to dissect and figure things out. I like to research. I like knowledge. There’s a battle that takes place inside of me each and every day. Logic fighting faith. Brain fighting heart. I’m so grateful that 99.9% of the time my heart wins and my mind is left asking for help.

Please, help me believe. Give me faith.

You’ll believe the moment it becomes real to you. You’ll have faith the moment you ask for it. BUT you’ll have to fight to keep it. It’s not about a prayer. It’s not about filling a seat on Sunday morning. It’s not even about find your place in ministry. Faith grows out of the heart, it’s not taught, it’s birthed. It’s a seed that grows and blossoms or is sprayed with Roundup. We give it life or we kill it.

The only thing holding you back is you. The only thing making it difficult to believe there is a God that LOVES you like crazy is you.

God, give me faith.

Elijah was the man. Had it been me, had God told me to stay at the raven motel, I probably would have laughed and brushed it off. Even now I question how I would respond. That’s tough. I don’t like it, but that’s reality. I STILL struggle.

It doesn’t make sense. It NEVER will. God doesn’t make sense and THAT’S where I find comfort. I can’t figure it out and I don’t NEED to figure it out. I just need to believe.

Today, will you be governed by your head or your heart? Let it become real.

FOLLOW-UP: Testimony

It's All About Them Relationships

For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; to those who are without law, as without law t(not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
1 Corinthians 9:19-22 NKJV

Ok. Let’s just settle this right now. Paul was THE man. He was a smart dude. He understood what it meant to reach people. He knew people. He knew how the human psyche worked. Paul was fully aware of the awesome power wrapped up inside the gospel of Christ, but MORE importantly, he was aware that he must first receive permission to share it in order for that power to have its maximum impact.

If there was an equation for sharing the gospel, like x + y = sharing the gospel, with x equaling willingness to share, y would equal RELATIONSHIPS. You can have a burning desire to introduce someone to Jesus, but if you don’t KNOW them, you’ve complicated the equation with division—as in the effectiveness of your story is cut to a fraction.

I could care less what you have to say if I don’t relate to you.

Don’t just run around throwing Jesus in people’s faces. You’re liable to get punched. Maybe kicked. Maybe both. Paul reached people because he had a genuine love for others. He had a passion for the lost being found. He wanted to see hell score a big fat 0. People mattered. ALL people mattered. He got to KNOW them. He became LIKE them.

So, I started thinking today…am I doing EVERYTHING I can do to reach people? No. But I’m encouraged knowing that I’ve started doing SOMETHING. I can’t do EVERYTHING, but I can do SOMETHING. You can do SOMETHING!

I started blogging to share my thoughts as I try to figure out this idea of following Jesus. I started making videos, which I think are hilarious, but we gotta start somewhere!

What are you doing? Get out there. Get to know someone. Get out of your comfort zone and make a difference in someone’s life. Take that first step. Walk the road WITH someone.

Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be a partaker of it with you.
1 Corinthians 9:23 NKJV

People matter. You matter.

You Don't Have to Settle for Less

I have recently become quite keen with iPhone photography. As a matter of fact, each photograph I've posted in this blog (and will continue to post) was taken with an iPhone. The idea that this little pocket-sized device, a PHONE, can be and is used to take pictures blows my stinkin’ mind! It’s a communication device! It’s original purpose and intent was to provide a connection between two people eager and anxious to speak to one another. Yes! An on-the-go connection. Don’t get me started on texting.

The concept of the mobile phone, this idea of instant and constant availability, has grown and expanded to include and cover so much more. It’s no longer a matter of talking to each other, but sharing a space, co-existing with each other in that moment. Hence, the addition of the camera. Hear my voice and SEE my surroundings.

The phone allows us to call someone, to text someone the very INSTANT a thought crosses our minds. We don’t have to wait. We can act on impulse. RIGHT NOW! First came the microwave, then came the cellphone. Capture a moment. Take a picture. Make a movie. A MOVIE?!? Yes! You can make a movie with your phone as well. Don’t bother flying over to my side of the country or world, here I’ll send you a movie…hope you’re satisfied.

How did this happen?

At some point the industry happened upon an intersection. It was an intersection where speech met sight. I can only imagine that in that moment, that very instant when these two ideas crossed paths, someone got excited. We’ll eliminate the need to carry a camera! We’ll eliminate the need to carry some other device because it’ll all be in ONE. It’s effective. It’s efficient.

It’s mediocre at best.

That may seem like a strong statement. It might seem like an unfair statement. Hear me, I thoroughly ENJOY iPhone photography, but I realize it’s second-rate. It does not capture the same quality, yes QUALITY, of a Canon 5D Mark II or a Nikon D300—yet we settle for it, I settle. We accept the second or third or fourth best. It’s cheaper. It’s practical. It’s easy. It’s convenient.

I think for many of us this summarizes our faith journey. We SAY we want to know Jesus. We SAY we want change. We SAY we’re following Him. We SAY a lot…The reality is we’ve settled for something less. We’ve chased after convenience, comfort, ease of use.

“My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.
Jeremiah 2:13 NIV

What is the cost of efficiency? What is the cost of convenience?

Today, make the choice to no longer seek after immediate fulfillment.
Today, make the choice to no longer chase after instant gratification.
Today, make the decision to accept God for who He is, not who we WANT Him to be.
Jesus is EVERYTHING, anything else is mediocre at best.