A Letter to CenterPointe

Hey CenterPointe,

#1 NEW and improved—with the NEW year comes NEW opportunities, NEW dreams, and NEW start. It’s a time when we should be looking FORWARD to what God has in store for us. It’s a time when we should be planning out our NEXT STEP as Christians, as husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, employees, employers, and every other label you can stick to yourself and then working to MAKE IT HAPPEN! I believe this year will be the GREATEST year of spiritual growth for each and every person who walks through the doors of CenterPointe. I believe God is up to something BIGGER than you or I could’ve possibly dreamed or imagined. What will you do with the NEW year? What will you do with the NEW opportunities? What will you do to see your NEW dreams become realitities?

#2 God desires a RELATIONSHIP, not RELIGION—I am PUMPED for our next series. On January 5 we start a new series called, “Closer.” For 3 weeks we’ll be talking about what it means to transition from praying a PRAYER to surrendering your LIFE (sounds kinda intense… because it is). That’s right. If you want to get to KNOW God you gotta get AROUND him (premise of the series). There’s never been a better time to invite the people you know and love to church. God is gonna seriously knock down some walls over the next 3 weeks. 

#3 Giving up SOMETHING… not the FIGHT—Then, on January 26, our church will jump into a 40 day fast. That’s right… 40 days (it’s not a typo) as we work through a 7-week series called, “Greater.” I don’t think I’ve met a single person who doesn’t want God to do something GREATER in some area of their life (faith, relationships, ministry, job, finances, etc.). We all want to GET what God has to GIVE, but sometimes the busyness of life just gets in the way. During these 40 days we’ll be giving up SOMETHING in order to make time for the SAVIOR. It’s going to be an intense time of growth… wait… it’s going to be an AMAZING time of growth! An information packet on fasting will be available on Sunday, January 12.

#4 A church that lives GENEROUSLY is a church that changes the COMMUNITY—once you realize God is the source of EVERYTHING generosity becomes EASY! Our church is living out the promise that you can’t OUTGIVE God! Our church is putting God to the TEST (Malachi 3:10)! Our church is stepping UP in big ways—determined to make an immediate and long-lasting impact in the community (feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, shoes for kids, etc.). I cannot wait to see what God will do through our church in 2014. I am BLOWN AWAY how so few can do so MUCH (I will brag on y’all all day long)!

Doubts Should Be Welcomed Not Ignored

The very people Jesus HUNG AROUND the most, the ones who WITNESSED his miracles firsthand, the ones who PARTNERED with him to bring hope to the hopeless, the ones who HEARD him teach beyond a parable, were the very people who DOUBTED he was who he said he was. Yet, in spite of their doubt, they WORSHIPED him.

When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted. (Matthew 28:17 NKJV)

Stop telling yourself you need all the ANSWERS. You don’t.
Stop telling yourself you need to see the SIGNS. You don’t.

Stop telling yourself you need more than JESUS. You don’t.

The Science Fair Project

My oldest son, Jonah, is currently working on his Science Fair project. It’s EXCITING! I’m PROUD of him! As a child, the only thing I was invited to was the principal’s office (no kidding). Well, imagine having to complete this project over WINTER BREAK. It can’t be easy.

You’ve got all these NEW toys and gadgets and games. You’ve got all the excitement of friends playing outside and you want to play with their new stuff and they want to play with your new stuff. How in the world are you supposed to find time for the project? How can you concentrate on schoolwork when there’s so much fun to be had? Easy.

Ask mom and dad to do it.

I think there’s a correlation between Jonah and his Science Fair project and us (you and I) and ministry. We allow ourselves to get so wrapped up in the busyness of life, so caught up in the hustle of marriage, parenting, working, and everything else that we forget about God… not because we DON’T want to be around him, we just CAN’T find the time to squeeze him in. So, what do we do?

We pray and ask him to do it.
We pray and ask him to make it happen.
We pray and ask him to find someone else.
That is, if we can even find the time to pray (maybe we can have someone else do that too?).

I imagine God doing exactly what Tracey and I have done with Jonah and that is OFFER HELP. We’re not doing Jonah’s project FOR him, but we’re right there alongside of him helping him work through it. If he’s got a question, we help him find an answer. If he gets stuck, we try to help him out of it.

God is offering you the same. He’s right there beside you, offering to help you through whatever it is you’re going through. He’s called you to change the world, not find someone else to do it. Will you give up, walk away, and settle for busyness or will you set aside what needs to be set aside and answer the call he’s place on your life?

Don't Wait Until It's Gone

There’s food in my fridge, yet it’s not what I want. There are clothes in my closet, yet not the ones I’m looking for. I’ve got a phone, but it’s not the latest model.

I have a tendency to take things for GRANTED. I have a tendency to look PAST what I have and look FOR the things I don’t. I see smudge on the window when the REST of the house is clean. I ignore the GOOD and focus on the BAD… why?

As a follower of Christ I have EVERY reason to BE grateful! When I find myself struggling to see the POSITIVE, when I find myself struggling to say THANKS, when I find myself focusing on the BAD it’s for one reason and one reason only: I’ve taken my eyes OFF the cross! I’m not looking where I should be! My eyes have gone from the Savior I HAVE to the stuff I WANT (when he’s all I NEED).

What about you? How are you doing with gratitude? Are you eyes searching for the HAVE NOT’S or are you giving thanks for you DO HAVE?

A Parable Comes To Life

Ever have those mornings when you EXPERIENCE a Bible story coming to life? I had one of those moments today.

Being the day after Christmas my oldest son was VERY eager to get out of bed and get downstairs to play his new favorite game. In fact, he was up at 5:00am, waiting outside my door, anxiously awaiting his dad to wake up and say, “Okay, go downstairs and play.”

So, I told him it was okay.

I then went downstairs, made my wife’s coffee (bonus points), and prepared breakfast for the kids. Now, I didn’t want to go in the basement to get my oldest nor did I want to shout for him to eat (as others were sleeping) so I sat down on the couch for my morning quiet time.

Shortly after my youngest came downstairs and, according to routine, immediately went to the table for breakfast. I asked him, “Isaiah, will you go downstairs and tell Jonah his food is on the table?” He obliged and went down the stairs. From the couch I could hear him say, “Jonah, food is on the table.” And he said it not once, not twice, not four times, but FIVE TIMES! Jonah was NOT about to listen. Jonah didn’t WANT to listen.

I sent my SON to share my MESSAGE and nobody would listen. He may have HEARD the message, but he wasn’t willing to FOLLOW.

I laughed as my youngest came upstairs and said, “Jonah won’t listen.”

I don’t know if he felt REJECTED, but the whole situation reminded me of Mark 12:1-2. Take some time this morning to read it and ask yourself, “Am I LISTENING to the son or have I REJECTED him?”

A Letter to CenterPointe

What’s up CenterPointe?

Last night, as we wrapped up our Christmas Eve service, I was overwhelmed with such an inexpressible JOY! A few months ago our church, CenterPointe, was merely a DREAM, an IDEA, a far-fetched FANTASY! That dream has become a REALITY! God is doing something INCREDIBLE in our lives and I can’t WAIT to see it spill over into our COMMUNITY! I get PUMPED when I think about our church…

…helping the homeless get off the streets
…helping addicts experience freedom from their addictions
…helping children find homes
…feeding the hungry
…reaching people far from God and teaching them how to follow Jesus!

I mean my heart is racing just READING that!

I pray you have an AMAZING Christmas! I pray God meets and sustains your EVERY need! I pray God fills you with an overwhelming sense of JOY! You’ve got something to CELEBRATE! Look no further than JESUS to find the source of your JOY, the source of your HOPE, the source of your ETERNITY and ever-PRESENT help!

This Sunday we conclude our current series “Just In The Nick Of Time” with a message I’m calling “The Best Is Yet To Come.” I don’t want you or me or anyone else I know to get stuck in the past, reliving past experiences, afraid that the best lies BEHIND us, when the truth is God ALWAYS HAS SOMETHING BETTER IN STORE FOR US! This week, discover that the best is truly YET TO COME!

I can’t WAIT to see what God has in store for us in 2014. Will you join me on this AMAZING journey and discover how can God CAN and WILL use you to forever change the landscape of our community?

Excuse Me, Do I Know You?

Just because you’re AROUND someone doesn’t mean you KNOW someone. And if you don’t KNOW someone chances are you don’t get ACCESS to someone. Here’s an example…

#1—There are people who can simply walk in my front door because of the RELATIONSHIP we have. I KNOW them. We don’t simply wave to each other from across the street and smile at one another at church. We get together and hang out. We SHARE our lives, hold each other accountable, and know when something’s wrong because we KNOW one another.

#2—Then, there are people who better freakin’ knock and wait for the door to be opened. I DON’T know them. I might know their name, but that’s about as far as this relationship (or lack thereof) goes. Relationships with these people stay at surface level with a “hello” or “hi” or “what’s up?” These people would know if something was wrong with me because they DON’T know me.

The same could be said about the way we treat our relationship with Jesus. Just because you go to CHURCH and fill a SEAT doesn’t mean you have a RELATIONSHIP with the SAVIOR. Do you KNOW him? Have you invited him into your home, into your life, in your relationships and finances and everything else? Just because you’ve been AROUND Jesus doesn’t mean you KNOW him. And if you don’t know JESUS you don’t get access to the FATHER.

Are you spending time AROUND him or are you building a relationship WITH him?

A Letter to CenterPointe

What’s up CenterPointe? Here are 6 things I want to share with you.

#1 Remember What You’ve Already Received—2,000 years ago God sent his one and only son down here to invade our mess and rescue us from it. This is after years and years and years of rebelling against God and turning our backs to God and begging for his help only to get it and go back to our old ways… even after all that God STILL loved us enough to show us grace. Take time this week to REMEMBER what you’ve RECEIVED.

#2 If You Got It, Give It Away—you’re surrounded by people who don’t know Jesus. You’re surrounded by people who are desperate to GET the hope that you GOT (don’t judge me on my grammar). Instead of placing an emphasis on PRESENTS introduce your family and friends to his PRESENCE. Invite someone to church. Offer to pray with someone. Get involved in the lives of OTHERS and be the LIGHT that Jesus called you to be.

#3 God’s Already Given You Everything You Need To Do Everything He Wants You To Do—what are some of the lies you’ve believed? I don’t know enough. I’m not smart enough. I’m not good with words. I don’t have enough verses memorized. I didn’t go to school for this stuff. Well, maybe you DIDN’T go to school for this, but the good things is that you DON’T NEED to. If you KNOW Jesus, you HAVE a story to tell. You’ve experienced what it means to be ALIVE! That’s something worth talking about!

#4 Stop Loving People To Hell—for whatever reason we Christians get all tense about sharing the Good News about Jesus Christ. Our family and friends are going to hell and we’re smiling and waving at them as they go. Don’t be afraid to offend somebody. I will offend someone to heaven all day long. What’s the worst thing that could happen? They change the subject? They have to go to the bathroom? They need a refill? They listen? Jesus said DON’T HIDE, but be a LIGHT FOR THE ENTIRE WORLD!

#5 Christmas at CenterPointe—Tuesday, December 24 at 5:00pm, we're meeting for a special Christmas Eve service. This message has me PUMPED! If you've ever felt like you can't escape the past or let it go or stop trying to relive it, then you need to clear your schedule and make your way here. Will you pray for lives to change? Will you pray for people to people to have a meaningful encounter with Jesus? I CAN'T WAIT!!!

#6 Have A Merry Christmas—I don’t know what to write after that so… have a merry Christmas!

"I Definitely Need That!"

When you WANT something you do whatever you can to get it… right? I’m not talking about those moments when you’re watching TV and the latest infomercial for a Snuggie comes on and you’re like, “I want that!” and then a few moments later you don’t even remember the Snuggie (and yes, I had to Google the proper spelling of Snuggie) exists. I’m not talking about that. I’m talking about those moments when you WANT want something, like you can’t stop thinking about it, you’re plotting and scheming different ways you can get it, you’re always talking about it, dreaming about it… THAT’S what I’m talking about.

Can you relate? Am I all alone here? I have these moments ALL THE TIME! And I don’t know how you respond, but I don’t just sit idly by hoping whatever it is simply lands in my lap, NO! I GET TO WORK! If you WANT it, go GET it!

Now, don’t take this as an excuse to ignore WISDOM and set aside PRAYER. I can’t even begin to count the number of times I’ve WANTED something only to realize I didn’t NEED it (and by realize I mean my wife said I didn’t need it). Just kidding (well… sorta).

God offers us wisdom. All we have to do is ASK for it (James 1:5).

God offers us provision. All we have to do is PRAY about it and it’s ours (Mark 11:24).

Enthusiasm without knowledge is no good; haste makes mistakes. (Proverbs 19:2 NLT)

I’ll be the first to admit, I’ve wanted some STUPID stuff and I’m better for NOT getting it, but that doesn’t mean I still don’t WANT it (insanity, right?). If God says NO will you be willing to listen? If God says WAIT will you be willing to set it aside? If God says YES, well, then it’s yours.

If you WANT it go GET it, but make sure you take some time to see if it’s something you actually NEED. Remember, God wants what's best FOR you, he's not trying to keep stuff FROM you.

A Failure to Plan is Planning to Fail

The end of the year has snuck its way into our lives once more. Didn’t we just celebrate the end of 2012? Where did 2013 go? Well, as with the end of every year, people all over the world are setting new GOALS, dreaming big DREAMS, and RESOLVING to make 2014 the BEST YEAR EVER!

Resolutions aren’t a bad thing, but I wouldn’t say they’re a good thing either. How many times have you set a New Year’s resolution only to forget it after 2-3 weeks into the new year? Maybe it’s to exercise (we’ve all done this one). Maybe it’s eat less. Maybe it’s give more. Maybe it’s write a book. Maybe it’s volunteer in the community. Whatever it is we all start with GOOD INTENTIONS, but fail with INCONSISTENT or NONEXISTENT ACTIONS.

How about this… What if this year…

1. You set goals that are within reach.
2. Establish a plan of action to achieve your goals.
3. Share it with someone else and ask them to hold you accountable (yikes! I know).
4. Tackle one at a time so you don’t get overwhelmed (heck, 1 goal accomplished it BETTER than 3 that remain good ideas).
5. Celebrate victories (no matter how small).

Don’t wait until January 1; start planning NOW! Give God your BEST! God created you ON purpose, WITH purpose, FOR a purpose! I truly believe the BEST IS YET TO COME!!!

6 Things I Want Share With You

Here are 6 things I want to share with you… about FINANCES:

#1 Generosity Will Wreck Your World—you CANNOT live generously and stay the same. It’s IMPOSSIBLE. Generosity changes you. There’s a shift in your heart from always trying to GET, to looking for opportunities to GIVE. And let’s be honest, watching someone’s face light up after receiving a gift is PRICELESS!

#2 If You Love Money You Hate God—I know, that sounds rough, but it’s true (and not because I said so… read Matthew 6:24). Money will always fight for the #1 position in your life; leading you to believe that SECURITY comes from a large bank account, not the God who fills your bank account. Eventually you start to believe YOU are the source and God just wants what you got.

#3 God Is The Source Of Everything—it’s too easy to fall into the trap of believing YOU are the source of your financial success, YOU are the source of your family’s plenty, YOU are the source of security, YOU are the source… you get the idea. Here’s something to remember: God is the one who CREATED you, GIFTED you, and ENTRUSTED you with everything you have. Generosity is EASY when you know God is the source.

#4 God’s Supply Never Runs Dry, But Your Bank Account Will—God doesn’t need your money, after all, he gave you whatever it is you have (and by “gave” I mean ENTRUSTED). It all belongs to him. Think of it like this… he SPOKE the world into existence (as well as you and I). There’s NOTHING he can’t do. And if you or I forget this and start trusting in our JOB instead of our GOD, we’re in for a BIG letdown. The only sure thing in this world is God’s PROVISION (I’d say death, but 2 people in the Bible didn’t die). God has UNLIMITED resources!

#5 Tithing = Freedom—not just FINANCIAL freedom, but TOTAL freedom! When your focus is ON money (bills to pay, things to buy, security to find, etc.) your focus comes OFF the cross. Tithing loosens the grip of money on your HEART and creates space for Jesus to LIVE INSIDE you. Let’s just go ahead and say it like it is… you can’t trust God with your ETERNITY and not trust him with your FINANCES. That’s like believing the parts of the Bible you WANT and neglecting the ones that you don’t agree with. As long as money is #1, God isn’t.

#6 Jesus Said To Tithe—“You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things,” (Matthew 23:23 NLT). If this was the ONLY verse in the Bible on tithing it would be enough. Jesus said to tithe, nuff said.

People Matter To Jesus, What About You?

Here’s a lesson from Jesus that I REALLY could’ve done without… well, maybe I REALLY needed to hear it, I just didn’t want to (ever have those moments?).

I’m a task-oriented kinda person and when I get started on something it’s very difficult for me to break away or interrupt what I’m doing (it’s gotta be done NOW!). Whether it’s my quiet time in the morning (praying, reading the Bible, writing) or working on web stuff in the afternoon, I am FOCUSED. With my brain wired the way it is I don’t like distractions (unless of course I CHOOSE to be distracted… then it’s okay). I don’t want people talking to me. I don’t want people climbing on me. I don’t want to get up. I don’t want to stop. I just want to finish. Can you please leave me alone (I can’t be the only one)?

Jesus had a completely DIFFERENT approach. He would go off by himself to pray, to get around his dad, and do whatever it is he would do. The problem (if you can really consider it a problem) is people LOVED Jesus. He offered them hope. He offered them healing. He offered them acceptance. So, people would go wherever he would go. I would’ve lost my mind. I would’ve sent them all home. Jesus welcomed them in and said, “with me you ARE at home.”

Jesus departed from there, skirted the Sea of Galilee, and went up on the mountain and sat down there. Then great multitudes came to Him, having with them the lame, blind, mute, maimed, and many others; and they laid them down at Jesus’ feet, and He healed them.
Matthew 15:29-30 NKJV

He didn’t turn them AWAY. He welcomed them IN.
He didn’t get FRUSTRATED. He DEMONSTRATED his love.

That’s what I need to start doing. I need to stop getting so caught up in the PROCESS that I neglect the PEOPLE. You can’t call yourself a follower of Christ and NOT love people. You just can’t. People MATTER to God, people need to matter to ME.

What If God Was In Control?

Preparing for a visit to the doctor’s office is NEVER fun. I don’t know how your mind works, but mine takes me through a whole laundry list of possibilities (and none of them are ever positive). I KNOW I shouldn’t entertain all the “what if’s” but it’s not always easy to ignore them.

What if the doctor hears something?
What if the doctor sees something?
What if the doctor feels something?
What if the doctor finds something?
What if the results come back positive?
What if it’s cancer?
What if it’s my heart?
What if I need surgery?
What if this…
What if that…

How about this…

What if God has it under control?
What if God’s grace is enough to pull me through?
What if God has something greater in store for me?
What if God truly was the source of my strength?
What if God was the remedy?
What if God was my hope?
What if God was working it all together for my good?
What if God used me to share hope with someone else?
What if God this…
What if God that…

What if I simply changed my perspective and started focusing on what God IS doing instead of what my mind projects MIGHT happen? Maybe today you just need to take some time and ask God to refocus your eyes a little, to readjust your perspective on life, and help you rediscover the hope you once had (before you were faced with an impossible situation or probable impossible situation).

Just A Little Bit Of Faith

And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
Matthew 14:28-31 NKJV

I’ve often read this bit of Scripture and thought, “I want that kind of faith.” I do. I want that crazy, audacious, willing to do whatever, willing to go wherever, mind-boggling, irrational faith. I can’t help but feel like that’s how BIG AWESOME things happen! Think about it, when was the last time you did something worthwhile that didn't require a good bit of effort—like it just happened and all you had to do was go for the ride? It doesn’t happen much (if ever at all). Yet, even thought Peter was crazy enough to STEP out of the boat (encouraged by the presence of Jesus), he wasn’t quite ready to STAY out of the boat (distracted by his surroundings).

Peter had enough faith to step OUT of the boat, but he lacked the faith to stay ON TOP of the water. Peter was all kinds of caught up in the wind and the waves and the idea that he was standing on deep waters that could swallow him up at any moment. He was AFRAID (and that’s okay). We ALL experience fear. We ALL have something or someone that sends shivers down our spine, stirs up a bit of hesitation in our step, causes us to rethink whatever it is we’re about to do or say. Nobody is immune to fear. Nobody.

That’s not too encouraging (unless you like knowing EVERYONE deals with it and it’s not just you), so here’s the encouraging part: Jesus is there in your time of NEED. Peter was sinking. Peter was going to drown (after all, it’s night and there’s a bit of a storm happening). And Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him. I LOVE that! Jesus wasn’t going to let Peter sink—at least not ALL the way. Jesus was right there with Peter the WHOLE TIME. He was within REACH. He was there to CATCH him. He was there to RESCUE him.

You might feel a bit overwhelmed by fear today. You might feel like whatever it is you’re facing is too much to handle (and it might be). Don’t wait until you’re UNDER the water, don’t wait until it’s TOO LATE. Take CHARGE and ask for God’s help RIGHT NOW!

He’s right there beside you ready to catch you before you fall.

You're Blessed

If there’s food in your fridge, you’re blessed.
If there are clothes in your closet, you’re blessed.
If there’s a car in your driveway, you’re blessed.
If there’s heat in your house, you’re blessed.
If you HAVE a house, you’re blessed.
If there’s breath in your lungs, you’re blessed.
If you woke up this morning, you’re blessed.

Don’t get so caught up in the things you WANT that you neglect the thinks you HAVE.

What Is The Definition Of "On Time"?

When God’s blessing doesn’t ARRIVE when you want, do you still consider it a blessing?

That’s a tough question to answer (especially if you’re willing to be honest). When I want something, I want it NOW not LATER. When I want to do something, I want to do it NOW not LATER. Call me impatient, but that’s how I roll. So, waiting on GOD’S timing can be difficult for me.

But…

What happens when we run AHEAD of God?
What happens when we stop FOLLOWING the Way and start LEADING the way?
What happens when we turn our back to GOD and turn toward our DESIRES?
What happens when we try to do life ALONE?
What happens when we can’t muster up any GRATITUDE?

What happens?

Will you have the patience to wait on God? Will you have the patience to wait on God when it seems like he’s gone SILENT or, worse yet, seems to have said NO? Will you give THANKS when God’s blessing arrives a little LATE (which just happens to be right ON TIME)?

How will you respond?

What Will You Do?

You’ve been given a task. Will you complete it?
You’ve been entrusted with something. How will you manage it?

There’s something you’re supposed to be doing, someone you’re supposed to be reaching, somewhere you’re supposed to go. What will you do? Don’t get caught up in the details. Don’t get overwhelmed by the amount of work. Don’t give up because of an obstacle.

God made you and only you can be you and don’t you forget it! He’s given you a dream to chase after and a purpose and fulfill. Don’t FEAR it because God will lead you THROUGH it. Are you ready to finally experience the life God has always intended for you to have? Are you ready to make an immediate, significant difference in the community?

Today’s a NEW day filled with NEW opportunities. Don’t let them pass you by.

Grace Is Not An Excuse For Disobedience

God loves us unconditionally. There’s nothing we can do to make God love us any more or any less. Nothing. God’s love stays the same. God’s love never fails. God’s love never fades. God L-O-V-E-S us.

Mixed in with his love is this thing called grace. Grace is this ridiculous idea that God gives GOOD things, the BEST things (his son, new life, hope, forgiveness, second chances, etc.) to people who don’t deserve it—which just so happens to be all of us. I think the most common explanation or definition I’ve heard is “unmerited favor.” You can’t earn it. You can’t buy it. It’s a gift. It’s freely given.

God LOVED the world so much that he gave his one and only son so that no man, woman, or child would perish, but have eternal life… THAT’S grace (it’s also a paraphrase of John 3:16).

You’re a liar… God shows you grace.
You’re a cheater… God shows you grace.
You’re an abuser… God shows you grace.
You’re an addict… God shows you grace.
You’re a freaking jerk… God shows you grace.
You’re a murderer… God shows you grace.
You’re greedy… God shows you grace.
You’re afraid… God shows you grace.

Grace = a second chance (and a third and a fourth and a fifth, etc.).

Are you living like you’ve been given a second chance or are you living like you’ve always lived and using grace like Pez dispenser—popping a sugar-coated grace pill whenever you need a dose of forgiveness?

The A.S.K. Method (from Jesus)

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. (Matthew 7:7-8 NKJV)

Here are 3 things you gotta do to get what you wanna get:

#1 Ask—how is anyone going to know what you WANT if you don’t speak up? A few years ago I asked my wife what she wanted for Christmas and she told me, “I don’t want anything for Christmas.” Sound familiar? When Christmas morning rolled around she was surprised to find NOTHING under the tree for her from me. Why was she surprised? She said she didn’t want anything. Made perfect sense to me. God will not answer 100% of the prayers you don’t pray. Yikes. If you want it, ASK for it!

#2 Seek—where is it? I don’t know, but you’re not going to find it sitting on your butt. Get up. Get after whatever it is you think you’re supposed to do (or want to get). How will you ever discover your PURPOSE if you don’t implement some sort of PLAN? We’ve been spoiled by online shopping! We think everything should be delivered to our front door. That’s not going to happen! Somethings require you to GET UP and GET OUT of the house! If you want it, GO get it!

#3 Knock—God does not bless good intentions. Do you know what that means? That means stop THINKING about doing something and GO DO IT! God has already given you everything you need to accomplish everything he wants you to do… so what are you waiting for? God did not call you to live a life of LAZINESS, he called you to live a life of OBEDIENCE (and obedience requires ACTION). Don’t use prayer as an excuse to do nothing. How long will stand at the door in the freezing cold before you decide to knock? Chances are not very long. Apply that same principle to your daily life and STOP WAITING FOR SOMETHING TO HAPPEN!

When Something's Gotta Give

Just because you did it YESTERDAY doesn’t mean you have to do it TODAY.

Just because you got away with it YESTERDAY doesn’t mean you’ll get away with it TODAY.

At some point you gotta wake up and realize the decisions you’re making are destroying YOUR life and hurting the PEOPLE around you. You’re like a bomb that, when it explodes, causes devastation all AROUND you. Something’s gotta give. Something’s gotta change. Something needs to happen SOONER than LATER.

What will it be?

Will it be YOU?—coming to the realization that you have a problem, you need help, and you’re ready and willing to do whatever it takes to get that help.

Or will it be EVERYONE ELSE around you?—coming to the realization that you WON’T get help, which means you WON’T stop hurting them, so they DON’T stay with you. That’s right… eventually they’ll leave.

6 Benefits of Blaming Others

Here are six benefits of blaming others:

#1—Takes the focus off you and your mess.
#2—Takes the burden of responsibility off YOUR shoulders and puts it on SOMEONE ELSE’S.
#3—Improves your ability to lie (as you continually come up with more and more elaborate excuses and stories).
#4—Great mental exercise (having to remember all the lies you’ve told).
#5—Creates opportunities for NEW friends as you lose all your OLD friends.

#6—Keeps you safe, cozy, and comfortable in denial.

What Happened When You Grew Up?

Some kids dream about walking on the moon. Some kids wonder what it would be like to be the president. Some kids want to be jet fighters and fire fighters and police officers and superheroes and crime fighters. Some kids imagine swimming in the ocean with whales and sharks and buried treasure.

Then something happens and the dream goes away. It disappears.

Some kids enjoy school. Some kids don’t need an alarm clock or a parent to scream, “GET UP AND GET READY!” Some kids can’t wait until the end of summer break (because it marks the beginning of the school year). Some kids are anxious to learn and grow. Some kids like school.

Then something happens and school become a chore. I GET to turns into I HAVE to.

What happens? What changed in us? What changed in you? Something happened along the way that changed your entire outlook on life… what was it?

Encourage your kids to KEEP DREAMING!
Encourage your kids to KEEP TRYING!
Encourage your kids to KEEP GOING!
Encourage your kids to STRIVE FOR GREATNESS (according to THEIR definition, not yours)!

A little encouragement goes a long way. Intervene before the “something” that happened to you happens to your kids.

When Victory is Just Out of Reach

Ever have those moments when VICTORY seems about as distant as the other side of the planet? Ever have those moments when a WIN seems about as possible as enjoying reality TV? Ever have those moments when OVERCOMING an obstacle… you get the picture.

Sometimes we go through some stuff. I mean some SERIOUS stuff. I’m not talking about going through the McDonald’s drive-thru and discovering (once you got home) you were served old French fries. No! I’m talking about those moments in life when you feel like life is going to END. I’m talking about those hospital visiting, job losing, spouse cheating, drug using, child abusing moments when you’re about to lose your mind and you just want it all to end.

I started feeling overwhelmed just writing that.

If you can relate, which you probably can, know that you’re NOT ALONE! You might be there NOW, but that doesn’t mean you’re going to STAY THERE! We go through seasons of GOOD and we go through seasons of BAD, but they’re just moments in our lives. Will you endure? Can you make it through? You could probably see light at the end of the tunnel if the tunnel wasn’t full of so much crap. Victory seems improbable while you’re IN it, but soon you’ll be OUT of it.

Victory is getting up one more time than you've fallen down.

Will you get back up?

What Are You Willing To Do For Someone Else?

Everything comes with a COST. Good or bad, EVERYTHING has a cost. I was recently reminded of this when my daughter was invited to participate in Math Field Day (smart math kids competing against other schools in math stuff). That’s a GOOD thing! We celebrated. We cheered. We encouraged. Then 6:00am rolled around and it was time to wake up.

Math Field Day came with a cost—less sleep. Three days out of the week my daughter now wakes up at 6:00am so she can get to school a little bit earlier for practice. Practice doesn’t take place during NORMAL school hours; she has to WORK at it and arrive EARLY. She has to GO OUT OF HER WAY to participate. I’m grateful she’s learning this lesson at an early age. And because SHE has to arrive early, that means I have to arrive early.

The things we do and the things we say and the decisions we make and the decision we don’t make don’t just affect us, they affect everyone AROUND us. My daughter’s participation in Math Field Day means dad now has to leave earlier than normal. My daughter’s participation in Math Field Day means dad’s routine (that he’s had for a few years now) has to change. There’s a COST.

What price are you willing to pay so someone else can enjoy a good thing? What are you willing to give up for somebody else to get a little further in life? What sacrifice are you willing to make?

3 Types of Decision-Makers

Bad decision (although a creative one).

Life is FULL of possibilities. Every day you’re faced with new and exciting opportunities and decisions. For some decision-making has become routine. You don’t have to waste any energy thinking about where to start, what’s next, or how to do it—you just do. For others decision-making is rather tedious. You can’t simply go with the flow; you gotta sit down, draw out a strategy, develop a plan, and then, after much consideration, implement it (making your kid’s lunch should NOT take that long). Then, there are those people who simply REFUSE to make a decision. You worry about all the details. You’re afraid of what might happen. It’s easier to just not make a decision, but wait and see what happens.

What decisions are you facing today? Are you feeling overwhelmed? Are you avoiding something or someone? Are you hoping someone else will make the decision for you? Maybe the problem is you’re always trying to do it on your own, by yourself. Maybe it’s time humble yourself and ask God for some help (but then again, that’s just another decision to make).

He’ll give you WISDOM to make the right decision.
He’ll give you COURAGE to make the right decision.
He’ll give YOU, if you ask HIM.

You already decided to read this. What other decisions need to be made today?

Today Can Be Different

Yesterday, you missed an opportunity to do something.
Today, you CAN do it!

Yesterday, you missed a chance to say something.
Today, you CAN say it!

Yesterday, you missed out on something.
Today, you don’t have to miss out on ANYTHING!

Life is full of CHOICES not random occurrences. Take OWNERSHIP of your life and the DECISIONS you make. You’ll miss 100% of the shots you don’t take—so be BOLD and take some shots!!

Peter Was a Hot Mess

Peter, one of the guys who got to hang around Jesus, the dude who had the faith to step out of the boat and walk on water, the dude who stood up and said, “Jesus, I’ll ALWAYS follow you, even unto death!” Peter the dude who denied Jesus (not once, but three times). Yes, DENIED Jesus. 

Do you know him? No.
Weren’t you one of his disciples? No.
Aren’t you one of Jesus’ buddies? No.

Yes, Peter is THAT guy. I can’t imagine what it must have felt like to watch your friend, your teacher, your SAVIOR beaten and brutalized and crucified and murdered. I can’t imagine looking on and seeing this all happening AND, if that wasn’t enough, denying that I even know him. I imagine that sequence of events was followed up with an unhealthy dose of GUILT and SHAME.

Take a few moments and read John 21:15-19.

Don’t merely glance over the words. Read them. Take them in.

Jesus didn’t leave Peter stuck in his MESS! Jesus didn’t walk away and leave Peter like Peter left him! Jesus went TO Peter and RESTORED the relationship that Peter must’ve felt like he had DESTROYED. Jesus met Peter where he WAS and didn’t LEAVE HIM THERE!

I don’t know what you’re going through. I don’t know what you’ve done. I don’t know what’s been done to you. But I do know this: God loves you, wants the best for you, and he won’t relent until he has you.

The Potential Pitfalls of Ministry

Ministry CAN be and SHOULD be an amazing experience. Ministry is our opportunity to be the hands and feet of Christ, following in his steps, doing what he did, reaching those in need, giving when there seems to be nothing left to give. Ministry GROWS us. It grows our LOVE for others—you cannot serve people and NOT love them, just like you cannot pray for people and NOT love them. The more you get AROUND people the more you start to see that people MATTER. But… as good as ministry CAN be there’s a flipside to how bad it COULD be.

When the things you DO are more important than the GOD you serve; ministry = idolatry.

• Your quiet time (Bible reading, prayer, journaling, etc.) become non-existent because you’re already connecting with God while serving.
• Your family time is cut short because the majority of time is spent at church or other activities (people who AREN’T your spouse or children).
• You start to think about all the good YOU’RE doing and forget it’s GOD working through you.
• You get burnt out, quit everything you’re doing, and since you haven’t been working on your personal relationship with God for a while, you quit that too.

Just because it’s a GOOD thing doesn’t mean it’s a GOD thing. Don’t overdo it. Make sure the MAIN THING remains the MAIN THING and remember ministry is something you do WITH God, not FOR God.