Why Doesn't God Listen To Me?

When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; Even though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood.
Isaiah 1:15 NKJV

Ever feel as if your prayers go unanswered? You pray every morning. You pray every night. You cry out in desperation. You weep. You mourn. You anguish. And yet, nothing. No small voice. No gentle whisper. No sense of presence. Nothing. Abandoned. Alone.

Where do you turn? What do you do? Obviously you’ve done something wrong, right? Guilt grabs a hold of you, shame drags you down, fear and doubts cripple you. There IS nowhere to turn, nowhere to run, nowhere to hide because you CAN’T! You’re stuck.

You lift up your hands…and feel as if God’s hiding his eyes from you.
You make many prayers…and fear God’s not listening.

Sound familiar?

During those moments when I feel overwhelmed by __________ (insert your thing here)…depression, anxiety, lust, addiction, anger…whatever it might be, during those moments all these feelings, all these questions, all these doubts probably race through your brain in a matter of seconds. Your heart begins racing. Your blood pressure rises. You have difficulty breathing. You know you’re about to slip up in some way. Relapse is looming. You feel POWERLESS, but either don’t acknowledge it or forget where your strength comes from.

In mere moments your day, your life can be flipped upside down.

He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
John 3:18 NKJV

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
Romans 8:1 NKJV

No condemnation…in CHRIST! IN Christ! If you are reading this and at some point in your life confessed with your lips “Jesus is Lord” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, then YOU ARE NOT ALONE! God hasn’t turned his back on you. God hasn’t walked away from you. God hasn’t left you. He’s with you, beside you, around you, within you. Nothing can separate you from the love of God.

Instead of asking God, “Why haven’t you answered my prayers?” ask him, “What would you have me pray for?” His ways. His will. His timing. Are you praying for the “right” things (James 4:3)? He WANTS to bless you. He has something FOR you. Is there some sin in your life that you just can’t seem to let go? Is there a relationship to mend? Forgiveness to give? Don’t know? Ask him…

God, it seems like you no longer hear my prayers. I come to you day and night, night and day, and still I don’t hear from you. What is it? What’s wrong? Is there a sin in my life that I’m not seeing? Please show me. Show me what needs to change. Lead me. Guide me. Help me get better. God, I love you, I thank you. In Jesus’ name…amen!

How Can I Say No?

“Just because you’re good at something, does it mean you’re supposed to do it?”

I heard this question asked last night while watching ESPN’s 30 for 30 on Todd Marinovich. I’m not going into the details of the film or his life or his career, but I’d definitely recommend watching the documentary.

This question, these words almost seemed to haunt me as I climbed into bed last night, in fact, it was probably the first thing I thought of when I woke up. I started replaying parts of my life, meeting Jesus, consumed with a desire to serve, to do, stretching myself, burning out as I was involved with everything and anything I could.

When you’re good at something, there’s a natural tendency to gravitate towards it. But, what if you’re gifted in a couple different areas? What if you can do a few things rather well? Isn’t it our responsibility to use these gifts for God’s glory? Shouldn’t we want to do it?

I’m probably going to upset a few people, but I don’t think so. My answer, at least now, would be NO. Here’s why…

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30 NIV84

Jesus, didn’t say, hey you, yes you, you who can paint, play guitar, cook an amazing cheese cake, and hold your breathe for 3 minutes, I want you to paint murals for children’s ministry, lead worship, bake for the hospitality team, and give swimming lessons.

Nope.
Didn’t happen.
He said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
He said, “For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

So, this brings me back to the original question, “Just because you’re good at something, does it mean you’re supposed to do it?”

No.

I believe there are different times in our lives when God both opens and shuts doors. Really, it’s about serving and giving and leading and learning where HE wants you to be, doing what HE wants you to do. Ultimately it’s not about DOING stuff, so much as it is about HONORING God. You are too valuable to watch burn out. You are worth too much to simply fade out. God has plans to change this world through you, to make a difference in your community one life at a time. If you’re weary, if you’re burdened, tired, ready to quit, spending more time at church and less time with your family…what good will you be?

Ask God where he wants you.
Ask God what he wants you to do.
Ask God to ignite a burden in your heart, an unquenchable passion, and then follow it.

Todd Marinovich was an AMAZING football player, but it wasn’t what he wanted to do, wasn’t who he wanted to be. Just because you're GOOD at it, doesn’t mean you have to DO IT.

Find your thing. Find your passion. Find your heart. Find yourself.

Three Words That'll Change Your Life

Here are three words I believe you’re gonna have to shout out today…scream out from the depths of your being…cry out in desperation…believe with all your heart…

I won’t settle.
I WON’T SETTLE!

Today was one of those days when I woke up with an overwhelming sense of “there’s gotta be something MORE!” Often I sweep this feeling aside, convinced it’s nothing more than pride creeping its way into my thinking. Today, however, was different. I felt a peace about it.

I won’t settle.

There IS more! There’s ALWAYS more! God isn’t done with me yet. God isn’t done with you yet! This world is filled with billions of people who remain in the dark, wandering aimlessly, seeking after light, but unwilling to acknowledge its existence.

I won’t settle.

Nathanael identified Jesus as the Son of God, the King of Israel, simply because Jesus knew where he was, under a fig tree, playing his iPad (John 1:43-51). How did Jesus respond? Don’t settle for this trivial stuff. Hold on, you’ll see far GREATER things!

Isn’t that what we do? We have a tendency to settle for the little things, when God wants to open our eyes to the EXTRAORDINARY! We do it in our relationships. We do it in our recovery. We do it in our jobs. We do it in our parenting, our marriages…our walk with Christ. We take a couple steps, set up camp, lie down, and go to sleep, believing we’ve done enough to get to where WE want to be, missing out on where GOD wants us to be.

I won’t settle.

I can’t get enough of Jesus. I can’t. The moment I think I have enough is the moment my view of God becomes astronomically miniscule. My heart can’t contain him. My intellect can’t wrap itself around him. I can’t get enough, because I no matter how close I get to him, no matter how much I learn about him, there’s ALWAYS MORE! I won’t settle for anything less.

Do you have enough? Have you experienced all you care to experience? Have you grown tired of his presence? Do you believe he’s done enough in you life? Have you done enough in this world? Have you already reach your pinnacle, your peak, the full extent of whatever difference you were going to make in this world?

He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much.
Luke 16:10 NKJV

God didn’t ask you to settle, he asked you to be FAITHFUL. God didn’t ask for a portion, he asked for YOU. Many of us fail to see this. Because we settle, because we grow complacent, because we get comfortable, we stop following Jesus and set up camp…You go ahead Jesus! I’ll catch up in a little bit!

Where have you settled?

Have you settled in your marriage…settling for fights, pornography, an affair, or divorce?
Have you settled in your parenting…settling for demoralizing, abandoning, demeaning, ignoring your children?
Have you settled in your ministry…settling for filling a seat instead of serving the lost?
Have you settled in your finances…settling for a brief glimpse of security instead of trusting God with your tithe?
Have you settled in your recovery…settling for a few meetings, a few steps, a few days, denial, lies?

It’s not a matter of HAVE you settled, but WHERE are you settling?

Shout it out today…I WON’T SETTLE! I WON’T SETTLE! I WON’T SETTLE!

Anticipating The Growth

I’d like to take a moment and share just how much I enjoyed this past weekend. Friday night was AWESOME! The Celebrate Recovery Band did a fantastic job leading worship. Janie shared a great message on FORGIVENESS. Had the opportunity to meet with the Worship Ministry at New Life to discuss restructuring, rebuilding, reshaping the ministry…loved hearing their hearts and passion for Jesus. Then capped it all off with meeting with our CR L.E.A.D.E.R.s (yes, I shared that lesson).

It was just a great time of getting together, getting around one another, speaking, listening, sharing, crying, laughing, remembering, planning, learning, growing together…pursuing God’s plan for our lives and ministry.

Today I’m left asking, “What now?”

What now? What’s now, is what’s always now…pray, get into the word, seek direction from the Holy Spirit, identify my part, my role, and DO IT! It’s time for action. It’s time to put things in motion.

I’m freakin’ excited. I believe we’re on the verge of seeing something truly amazing, like a miracle of biblical proportions! Who would want anything less?

Take a moment and read the Parable of the Talents.

Reading this has me EXCITED! I believe this is the current direction of both Celebrate Recovery and the Worship Ministry. As we continue to pour into our leaders, investing in one another’s lives, holding each other accountable, we are building the framework to support the growth that I believe God wants to bless us with.

Numbers don’t impress me, at least not in themselves, it’s the fact that each number represents a life that's CHANGING and GROWING…that’s EXCITING! That gets me PUMPED! And after meeting with these leadership teams I’m fully anticipating an explosion of growth that only God can produce and it all starts with OUR faithfulness, OUR willingness to do what needs to get done, us doing OUR part.

I LOVE that!

So, join me and continue praying for our ministries. Continue praying for Celebrate Recovery. Continue praying for the launch of Celebration Station. Continue praying for the launch of The Landing. Continue praying we see 200 people walk through those doors. Continue praying for new musicians, new sound engineers, new production managers, new videographers.

And, as you’re praying, ask God, “What’s MY part?”
Then do it.

Do I Believe What I'm Singing?

Have you ever listened to the song “Forever Reign” by Hillsong? If you haven’t, find it, buy it, listen to it. It’s a GREAT song. It's one of those songs that NEVER gets old.

But I find it interesting, the more I sing it, the more I find is revealed through it. The first few times I was awestruck by the lyrics and how they point us, as participants, as worshipers, to identify and celebrate the various attributes and qualities of God (good, love, light, hope, peace, true, joy, life, more, Lord, here, God). I LOVE songs like this. Songs where we cry out TO God, not merely sing ABOUT him.

Then I couldn’t get over the passionate declaration of the chorus, “Oh, I’m running to Your arms.” Wow! That’s it! That’s the sum of the relationship I WANT to have with God, yet often struggle to LIVE OUT. I WANT to have that passion, that desire to run to him, but often I find myself ignoring him, shutting him out, doing my own thing. This line is so pointed, so personal, so simple.

One of the first steps of Celebrate Recovery is to step out of denial and step into God’s grace, or, as this song puts it, acknowledge God for WHO he is and then run into his arms!

This week I had a different experience with this song. Isn’t it interesting how you can sing or say something a hundred times and never really connect with it? You don’t have to think about it. You just do it…almost automatically. That definitely wasn’t this week. This song queued up on my iPhone as I was driving, so of course I started singing, “Oh, I’m running to Your arms. I’m running to Your arms. THE RICHES OF YOUR LOVE WILL ALWAYS BE ENOUGH.” and it was like God himself was sitting next to me and asked, “Will it really?”

I couldn’t sing anymore.
Tears welled up in my eyes.
And I’m driving, so of course I can’t see anything.

Will the riches of God’s love always be enough? I was done. I couldn’t go any further. The song kept playing, but my heart was hurting because I wasn’t sure if I could HONESTLY sing those words. I wondered how many songs I had sing that had been nothing more than lies.

Here’s a tip, when you start to feel like this, when you start to think like this, all you’re doing is provided the enemy with a foothold to keep you down.

Thank God for Jesus. I came to realize, or should I say remember, that I am a broken person who’s going to make mistakes, but God’s going to love, DOES love me in spite of myself. I can sing the riches of his love will always be enough, not because I think it’s true, but because IT IS true because of who HE IS.

So, remember, worship is not about you, it’s not about me, it’s entirely about God. As you’re singing, as you’re lifting praises, get vulnerable, get real, and just worship God for the things he’s done in your life, the things he’s doing right now, and the things you’re believing him to do in your future.

Why Should I Forgive Them?

Unforgiveness is one of those words that can send chills down your spine, make your body grow tense, make you remember that thing you have to do. Unforgiveness is not an easy subject to discuss. Well, let me clarify.

As Christians we LOVE to talk about the forgiveness that’s been offered to us on the cross. We talk about the innocent blood of Christ spilled for the guilty, the ultimate sacrifice, once for all, mending the once broken relationship between us and God the Father. We didn’t earn it. We didn’t deserve. He simply gave it to us. He SAVED us.

So, we like to talk about forgiveness, the forgiveness we’ve RECEIVED from God, but rarely do we discuss the forgiveness we GIVE others, or just the opposite, the unforgiveness we cling to because we refuse to be like Christ. Who wants to talk about that? I don’t. Do you? Here’s the deal, it doesn’t matter if you or I want to talk about it, it doesn’t matter if we want to do it, God says to.

As I’ve said before, when God says to do something you don’t have to pray about it, you just do it.

Peter asked Jesus about forgiveness. He asked Jesus how many times he should offer forgiveness. Once? Twice? Seven times? Do you remember Jesus’ response?

Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.
Matthew 18:22 NKJV

In other words, there’s no limit to how often we should offer forgiveness. It’s not a sign of weakness. It doesn’t mean you allow people to walk all over you. It simply means you do not hold on to unforgiveness.

Forgiveness is a CHOICE. Just like following Jesus is a CHOICE. You choose to let go of the past, let go of the hurt, let go of the pain, let go of that deep-rooted desire to want to hate that other person for what they did, what they said. OR you choose to hold on to it, you choose to be sick, you choose to remain stuck in the pain, stuck in the crap, unable to move forward in your life, your recovery, your spiritual journey.

Nick, you don’t understand! You don’t understand what happened to me! You don’t understand the pain! You don’t know how I suffered! Listen, you’re probably right. Most likely, I don’t understand. And if you were abused, if you experienced pain as the result of someone else harming you, than I’m truly sorry for what happened, but I’m here to tell you that you no longer have to remain the VICTIM. That person did something horrendous to you, hurt you deeply, but because you remain stuck in it, because you’re holding onto it, you’re allowing that person to KEEP HURTING YOU! VICTORY remains just beyond your reach because you won’t let go of the past.

God has something so much BETTER for you. He’s already shown what it means to forgive. Jesus, while still hanging from the cross, bloodied and battered, asked his Father to forgive those who beat him, who spit on him, who pierced his hands and feet…you…me. He modeled what it means to forgive.

What will you choose? Will you choose to remain the VICTIM or will you choose to experience VICTORY?

Learn what it means to forgive and to be forgiven this Friday at Celebrate Recovery.

The Program Isn't Changing, I Am

Today is a NEW day and, as I wrote yesterday, I am to bring a NEW song. I don’t know exactly how that’s going to play itself out today for me. I don’t believe it necessarily has to represent a literal new song, so much as a newness of life, attitude, heart, passion, direction, or whatever else you can think of.

As I was writing yesterday, I kept thinking to myself, you know what, this doesn’t merely apply to worship, but to recovery as well. I mean think about it…what are we saying, reciting, declaring when we speak the Prayer for Serenity?

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage the change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time…

Living ONE DAY AT A TIME, enjoying ONE MOMENT AT A TIME.

I’m not living in the past. I’m not looking ahead. I’m here. I’m present. I’m taking it step by step. I’m working my program. I’m going through the process of change. I’m engaging my recovery, my hurts, my habits, my hang-ups. I’m anticipating what God will have for me TODAY, RIGHT NOW!

For those who have ventured through a Step Study or even completed a full year of Celebrate Recovery, you’ve probably noticed that as soon as you find freedom in one area, as soon as you overcome one hang-up, God reveals ANOTHER! Don’t you just love that?

I do.

It keeps things fresh. It reminds me that I’m a work in progress. It reminds me that he’s changing me; he’s not done with me yet. In fact, and here’s the crazy part, the program doesn’t change, I do. For the past 3 years I’ve experienced the same exact lessons, answered the same exact questions, read the same exact Scripture…yet it’s NEW each and every time.

The program isn’t changing, I am.

Each time I walk through the doors of Celebrate Recovery I’m anticipating NEW. The new song I bring each Friday night is a song of HOPE, the hope that he CAN and WILL set me free from my hurts, habits, and hang-ups. It’s a song of GRACE, knowing that he WANTS to help me change in spite of my tendency to be a little rebellious (or maybe a LOT rebellious, but who’s tracking?). It’s a song of WILLINGNESS, a willingness to accept the changes he wants to make in me and allow him to do it…and the willingness to do my part (working my program).

So this week, when you step foot into Celebrate Recovery, what’s the new song you’ll bring?

What If I Don't Want To Sing A New Song?

Why is it that a new song can be such a tiresome and frustrating thing? Is it because I don’t like the style of the song? Is it because I don’t know the words? Is it because I can’t close my eyes, lift my hands, and just sing?

Probably.
But is that what it’s about?

I don’t have enough fingers or toes to count the number of times the phrase “new song” is mentioned throughout the Scriptures, in particular, the book of Psalms. Sing a new song. Bring a new song. Play a new song. New song. New song. New song. Again and again. Really? How many people do you think left the church because there were so many new songs? At least the Media Team was kept busy.

What is it about newness that the Lord desires? Doesn’t he know that we can’t learn that many songs? Doesn’t he understand the time and preparation put forth by the band to learn a new song? I don’t think God understands. Learning so many new songs doesn’t mesh well with the way we do church. Is there a forum somewhere that I can leave a comment, suggestion, or question? Has he created a FAQ regarding worship?

When it comes to new songs I have to remember one thing: it’s not about me.

I LIKE to close my eyes and get lost in the song I’ve sung 1,003,172 times. I LIKE knowing how the song flows. I LIKE knowing when to shout and sing loud. I LIKE knowing when to raise my hands. I LIKE knowing the words. I LIKE the slower songs. I LIKE big, rockin’ songs. I LIKE fast songs that get me pumped up. I LIKE…

I believe one problem with the church today is that we’ve flip-flopped worship. Instead of worshiping God, celebrating who he is, what he’s done, what he will do, we worship ourselves. We seat our own personal preferences on the throne and expect everything else to follow. We’ve become consumers and expect the church to meet our needs and if it doesn’t, we’ll find a church that will (at least for a little bit).

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

Worship isn’t about me; it’s all about him. It’s about a making a connection, a connection between my heart, my mind, my soul, and his presence. Worship is about getting past my personal preferences and getting into his presence. It’s about worshiping God. It’s about praising God. It’s about exalting God, lifting him up.

I LOVE how this verse says, “Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the LORD.” It’s not about singing my favorite song; it’s about welcoming the very presence of God.

So, this week at your church, when a new song is introduced, how will you respond?

Finding Time For The One Who Matters

This morning you woke up with something in mind, something in mind to do, to accomplish, to complete, to get done…something had your attention from the moment you regained consciousness.

Scrolling through your mental checklist, your daily to-do list, what is it that has already captured your attention, what is it that has already captured your heart, what is it that has already asserted itself as the compass that will direct your day?

My son, give me your heart, And let your eyes observe my ways.
Proverbs 23:26 NKJV

Going to bed full of worry, contemplating tomorrow’s tasks leads to restless nights and anxious mornings. Heart racing. Thoughts overwhelming. What to do? Where to go? Who to see?

Often times the things we believe NEED to get done are merely distractions from what He WANTS us to do.

God says, “give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.”

Starting your day off right means starting your day off with Him. He should be your what, where, who, how, and when. He should be your first, your last, your everything. Will you release some of that control? Will you allow God to lead?

His plans for your life far surpass your own (Jeremiah 29:11).

Believing My Failures Affect God's Love

As I stood on the stage last night, rehearsing the music for Friday night’s Celebrate Recovery, I couldn’t help but feel an intense connection with one song in particular. I mean the band is playing, the singers are…well…singing, and I was getting lost in the lyrics and how they seemed to be an illustration of my life, my struggles, my joy.

The song is “Your Love Never Fails” which was released by Jesus Culture a few years back. The title says it all. Your love never fails. God’s love never fails. Here’s a sample of the lyrics.

The wind is strong and the waters deep but
I’m not alone here in these open seas
Your love never fails
The chasm is far too wide
I never thought I’d reach the other side
Your love never fails

This is one of those beautiful moments when life intersects song. A literal point that can be experienced whether through the memory of a past experience or the hurt associated with the situation you’re currently facing…it’s real.

The wind is strong and the waters deep…I’ve been there. I’ve been stuck in the cycle of addiction, whether it was drugs, alcohol, pornography, or gaming. I KNEW Jesus, but lived according to my selfish desires, my wants, my ways, not his. Like Peter, I took my eyes off what really mattered and started to sink (Matthew 14:22-29). BUT unlike Peter, I didn’t extend my hand for Jesus to rescue me…I sank…and sank…and sank. I failed to realize that I wasn’t alone.

Do you know that you’re not alone?

The chasm is far too wide…It seemed like I was never going to be able to get up or get out. I was stuck. I couldn’t do it on my own. I was powerless. Yet I believed I was in control. I believed I had it. I told myself I could stop whenever I wanted to. Yet I couldn’t. I never thought I’d reach the other side. The crazy thing is this is exactly where I needed to be. As long I thought I could do it, I’d never let God. I couldn’t reach the other side on my OWN, I had to learn to trust JESUS to get me there (Hebrews 7:20-28).

Are you still trying to do get there on your own?

In spite of my mistakes, He loves me. In spite of my daily rebellion, He loves me. He stays the same. He doesn’t change. He’s the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow (Hebrews 13:8). I change. You change. We walk away. We run away. We stray. God never moves.

I had to come to the realization that I am not God; that I am POWERLESS over my tendency to do the wrong thing and that my life was and is unmanageable. I had to BELIEVE God exists and that He ALONE has the power to help me recover. Finally, I had to CHOOSE to commit my life and will to Christ’s care and control.

It’s not easy. It’s necessary.

Why Is Denial So Difficult To See Through?

Immediately he went after her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, Or as a fool to the correction of the stocks, Till an arrow struck his liver. As a bird hastens to the snare, He did not know it would cost his life.
Proverbs 7:22-23 NKJV

He did not know it would cost his life.

He did not know.

It was a surprise. It was unsuspected. An anomaly. A freak incident. What were the chances?

I can’t help but feel as if this verse describes most of us, if not all of us and our narrow view of life. I say narrow view because that’s what we have. Our perspective is shaped by our experiences. If you’re hurt, you see the world through that hurt. If you’re sad, you see the world through that sadness. If you’re filled with joy, you see the world through that joy. It’s a NARROW view. Limited at best.

Each of us is struggling with some hurt, habit, or hang-up. Each of us is struggling with something. Some know it. Most don’t. Most don’t want to. A narrow view.

He did not know.

Denial can give us some of the GREATEST excuses in the world, or so we think. There’s nothing great about an excuse. Excuses are lame. Excuses keep your hands tied, your feet shackled, your heart hard, your eyes closed, your perspective distorted…narrow. Denial blinds your eyes, narrows your vision so that you CAN’T see the arrow coming. Denial throws logic out the door, destroys your ability to think clearly.

He didn’t know it would cost his life…because he didn’t want to.
He didn’t know it would cost his life…because he closed his eyes.
He didn’t know it would cost his life…because he was trapped in denial.
He didn’t know it would cost his life…because he gave up, gave in, threw in the towel.

Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways, Do not stray into her paths; For she has cast down many wounded, And all who were slain by her were strong men.
Proverbs 7:25-26 NKJV

Continue reading and we discover what NOT to do. Do NOT turn your heart aside. Do NOT stray. Remember, you are POWERLESS to control your tendency to do the wrong thing and that your life is unmanageable (words I live by).

All who were slain by her were strong men.
It’s in your weakness He makes you strong.
You can’t do it alone.

It’s not too late. You can turn to Him right now. You can ask for help. You can ask to be rescued. He’ll answer. He’ll pick you up. He’ll lift you up. He’ll give you new life. He’ll give you hope.

Open your eyes.

Who Are These Crazy People?

Have you ever walked into a worship service…service, a term I use begrudgingly because of its implications, like I attend church to BE served, to BE serviced like a car in disrepair, to BE filled…but anyway, have you ever walked into a worship experience and found yourself amongst a group of people singing, clapping, dancing, shouting, raising their hands, worshiping with reckless abandon?

What did you think?

How did you feel?

Have you ever wondered WHY they, we, I do these things? Have you ever wondered why the person next to you has their arms in the air? Have you ever wondered why the person in the front row is weeping? Have you ever wondered why that one person seems to shout at random times? Have you ever wondered WHY?

Here’s an overly simple answer: WORSHIP.

That’s it. It’s worship. W-O-R-S-H-I-P.

I didn’t grow up in the church. I didn’t experience the church, at least not willingly, until my mid-twenties. I was freakin’ weirded out by those people. I thought they had questions. I thought they had lost their minds. I was waiting for someone to bring out rattlesnakes. I was…JUDGMENTAL. Unaccepting. Closed-minded. I didn’t understand it and I didn’t want to understand it. It was THEIR thing, not MINE.

Fast-forward a few years. Now I’m the guy raising his arms, crying my face off, and shouting out.

Yesterday or the day before I finished reading through the book of Psalms (if you haven’t done so, I HIGHLY recommend it) and I found time and time and time again the writer prompting me, the church, to PRAISE God, to WORSHIP God. The various writers of the Psalms direct us to do so in multiple ways…not just one, but MANY.

Singing…
I will praise the Lord according to His righteousness, And will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High.
Psalm 7:17 NKJV

Playing instruments AND shouting…
Sing to Him a new song; Play skillfully with a shout of joy.
Psalm 33:33 NKJV

Gratitude…
I will praise the name of God with a song, And will magnify Him with thanksgiving.
Psalm 69:30-31 NKJV 

Posture…
Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.
Psalm 95:6 NKJV

Arms raised…
Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, And bless the Lord.
Psalm 134:2 NKJV

There’s no one way to worship. There’s no right way. It’s an expression. It’s a declaration. It’s an acknowledgement. It’s surrender. It’s vulnerability. It’s an attitude. It’s not about me. It’s not about you. It’s not about the church or tradition. It’s all about God, his son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.

When you feel uncomfortable, remember it’s not about you.
When you feel awkward, remember it’s not about you.
When you feel like judging the person next to you, remember it’s not about you.

Regardless of where you are, remember that worship is FOR and TO and BECAUSE OF God. So praise him! Shout for joy! Rejoice for all he has done! Celebrate with your voice! Raise your hands as a sign of surrender! Worship the King of kings and Lord of lords. Give thanks for your redemption…your eternal life!

Aftermath of the 2012 Celebrate Recovery International Summit

Wow! It is good to be home. It is good to be back with my kids. It is good to be back with my dog. It is good to be back around my neighbors, my friends, my church. It is good.

This past week my wife (@traceybscott) and I spent time in California with some of the best people in the world…THOSE PEOPLE…our Celebrate Recovery family. We had the privilege, wait I need to stick to I and me statements, I had the privilege of attending the 2012 Celebrate Recovery International Summit in Lake Forest, CA. It was such an incredible time of worship, learning, growing, serving, celebrating, laughing, crying, affirmation, and even some swimming (after all, what else do you do when you’re near the beach?).

I’m grateful that I was provided the opportunity to go and participate, BUT, now that I’m back home, sitting here, with all this new information, new ideas, and I don’t know where to start. This, this is what I believe to be one of the greatest struggles, the biggest downfalls of attending these awesome conferences…you go, you get pumped, you get excited, you get all this new stuff, you see and you want to try something, you see and you want to stop doing something, but it remains at the IDEA level, never moving forward to ACTION.

It reminds me of our recovery. We know we have a problem. We know we need help. Yet, for many of us, we never move forward to ask for that help or once it’s received, we never apply it to our daily lives.

Thank God for Jesus. Thank God for the Holy Spirit. Thank God for his word.

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Psalm 150:6 NKJV

As I read this verse this morning I felt God reminding me that if I don’t acknowledge HIM, if I don’t lean into HIM, if I don’t make HIM first…I’ll have missed the mark completely. All the hype that comes with a conference, the loud music, the flashy lights, the fellowship, the ideas, means nothing if I don’t seek God first and praise Him for this moment…my RIGHT NOW.

So maybe today you’re feeling overwhelmed. Maybe today you’re feeling like you can’t do it. Maybe today you’re feeling like there’s just too much. Maybe today you’re scrambling to figure out how you can make it all happen.

STOP!
Take a deep breath.
Clear your mind.
Let it go.

Get into His presence for a bit. Ask for wisdom. Ask for strength. Ask for direction. Ask God what He wants for your life and your Celebrate Recovery program. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, it’s because you’re trying to carry burden that wasn’t yours to carry to begin with (Matthew 11:28-30).

Remember, not every good idea is a God idea. Join me today and simply pray for the Holy Spirit to provide you with clear direction and the wisdom to see it.

Let Me Give You Some Accountability

How are you doing today? I’m not referring to WHAT you’re doing. I’m not referring to how you WANT me to think you’re doing (wearing a mask, isolating, pretending, fear of being real). I’m asking how are you doing today? What’s going on? What are you struggling with? What are you ignoring? What has you crippled with fear?

Maybe you’re stuck, unable to move, seemingly incapable of experiencing progress in marriage, work, recovery…in LIFE. Have you taken the time to identify your areas (notice the ‘s’, it’s plural) of weakness? Often we find ourselves stuck in a rut, sinking in our mess, simply because we haven’t identified our struggles, our hurts, habits, and hang-ups. And if we haven’t identified them, we can’t overcome them (I wrote on this yesterday, read it here in case you missed it).

Well, one of the ways we can overcome our struggles is by setting up a trusted, honest, network of accountability. The Bible actually tells us that two are BETTER than one (Proverbs 27:17). But what does that mean? What does it look like?

Here’s what it’s NOT.

• You shouldn’t offer unsolicited advice (are you a part of their accountability team?).
• You shouldn’t point out someone else’s struggles without first examining your own (work YOUR program).
• You shouldn’t condemn (God FORGIVES, why aren’t you?).
• You shouldn’t try to fix someone (you’re NOT the Holy Spirit).

Here’s what it IS.

• You should listen (be an ear, allow the other person to share and share freely).
• You should share your experience (what has God rescued you from; share that HOPE).
• You should give grace, grace, grace, and more grace (Galatians 6:1).
• You should go to God’s Word (Psalm 119:105).
• You should let God do what ONLY GOD CAN DO!!!

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
Philippians 2:12-13 NKJV

God says to work your OWN program. He wants to work change in YOU! And he’ll work change in OTHERS! Remember, it’s not about YOU. It’s not about what YOU want. It’s not about having YOUR way. It’s about HIS ways, which are GREATER!

Will you let God be God and do what only He can do?

Submission = Victory

What does it mean to submit? What does it mean to let go? What does it mean to release any and all sense of control you think you might have?

One of the most difficult steps in recovery, one of the biggest hang-ups we face, occurs when we reach the point of realizing CHANGE must take place and that we have a part in it. Yes. It doesn’t just happen. You’re not magically different (or magically delicious like Lucky Charms…sorry…ADD). It takes work. It takes effort. And that’s what makes it such a big, often overwhelming obstacle.

Principle 5 states, “Voluntarily submit to every change God wants to make in my life and humbly ask Him to remove my character defects.”

Read it again.
Read it again (trust me, 3 times is biblical).

Moving out of DENIAL and into RECOVERY means we’ve identified our problem, our struggle, our hurt, habit, or hang-up. And knowing that problem, acknowledging that struggle, means we find ourselves in the position of LIVING IN it or OVERCOMING it. Working our way through the 8 Principles, working our way through the 12 Steps, we’ve learned that we cannot do it alone, but must trust in and rely on the power of the cross, trusting God to make all things right…

…trusting you will make all things right…if what?

If I SURRENDER to your will.
If I VOLUNTARILY SUBMIT to every change you want to make in my life.

So, what will you do? Will you choose to remain the victim? Will you choose to remain in your addiction? Will you choose to believe it’s just who you are? Or will you choose to be set FREE and experience the joy of his salvation, his grace, his mercy, his forgiveness, his love?

Are you ready to stand in VICTORY?

Are You Listening or Negotiating?

What’s in it for me?
What are you going to do for me?
How will I benefit from this?
What will it cost me?

Let’s face it…we’re SELFISH. If you just thought, “No I’m not!” you’re also PRIDEFUL. I’m not judging, I’m just telling you like it is. We’re ALL selfish. We ALL struggle in this area. We consider how any particular task will affect us…our time, our finances, our attitudes, our time. I would like to suggest that some of us, probably most of us, stop right here. We take into consideration how something will affect US, but we don’t care to look beyond our immediate circle to see how it affects the GREATER community (those around us).

Something needs to change. Read these words from the Psalmist.

Teach me Your way, O Lord; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name. I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, And I will glorify Your name forevermore. For great is Your mercy toward me, And You have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.
Psalm 86:11-13 NKJV

The Psalmist doesn’t say, “Negotiate with me God. Hear my counteroffer. Let me show you a different way, a better way.” No! He says TEACH ME YOUR WAY! Do this so I can praise your name with ALL MY HEART! I’ll do what you say, when you say, how you say! I’m yours! Have your way in me!

I LOVE this. I have a great appreciation for the IT’S NOT ABOUT ME mentality. God doesn’t promise us comfort. God doesn’t promise us an easy life. God doesn’t promise us happiness. He simply said BELIEVE IN ME…TRUST ME…FOLLOW ME.

The Psalmist continues on, providing the reasons behind his faith, his passion, his desire to follow God’s will…for great is your MERCY toward me…you have DELIVERED my soul.

Something needs to change.

There will always be a cost. Most likely the cost is great. But the payout is GREATER. You’ve already been REDEEMED, you’ve already been DELIVERED. Obeying God, following Jesus, leaning into the Holy Spirit, leads to the LOST being FOUND, his kingdom growing, expanding.

Something needs to change.

What can I do for you?  >>>  What’s in it for me?
What do you want to do through me?  >>>  What are you going to do for me?
Will you teach me your way?  >>>  How will I benefit from this?
What can I give?  >>>  What will it cost me?