60 Second Bible Study

Perseverance

2009-09-03T12:16:00.001-07:00

There was a story in the news last week about three boaters in Texas who spent eight days surviving in the Gulf of Mexico after their catamaran capsized. Through their ordeal they dealt with hunger, oppressive heat, dehydration, sharks, even hallucinations.

Now let’s stop and pause there for a second.

Just try to imagine going a full week – all seven days – clinging to a floating piece of debris, trying to keep a level head, fighting off doubt and fear and the only thing on your Day Planner’s “to do” list is to hope someone, anyone, finds you and your two buddies.

Sounds like a movie, doesn’t it? But this was real. And got more “real” than most people could ever imagine. Because according to one of the survivors, Tressel Hawkins, “It was on a day-to-day basis that everybody had their breakdown.” He then added, “The power of prayer had us feeling safe as far as knowing that we were going to make it out of it, but [we] didn’t know how long that we were going to have to endure this.”

It’s hard for me to fathom that. Honestly. Being out on the open ocean for days with only small rations of food, very little drinking water and dealing with continuous threats of sunstroke, exhaustion and sharks circling your boat. Yet feeling safe. That you knew you would make it out of it. Because you knew – soul deep – it was just a matter of time before God rescued you.

Wow, that’s white knuckle faith. With a whole lotta trust thrown in as well. Which is why this story continues to inspire me even as I re-read it days later. Because for a lot of us, we’re dealing with our own “capsized boat” in life. A job situation is “less than stellar”. The dreams you were certain you would achieve by now seem more out of reach than ever. The hopes you had for retirement have gone up in flames. An addiction you’ve wrestled with for decades just won’t leave you alone. And on and on it goes.

It’s with those struggles in mind I bring up Romans 5:2-5 which reads, “And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”

I don’t know if those guys knew this verse while they were stranded at sea, but they certainly know how to live in it, especially through the hardest ordeal of their life. And in times when it feels like you’re just clinging on to something, just hoping to be rescued, I hope you can live those words as well. Times when you go through your own breakdowns, only to have God lift you back up, dust you off and set you back on your feet again. And times when you’re not sure when you will be rescued, but there’s no doubt that God is providing for you and will send you a lifeline.

So this week I’d encourage you to jot down that Bible passage, paste it on your refrigerator, your computer at work, or prop it on your bathroom mirror. And repeat the part of the passage that simply says, “hope does not disappoint us”. After all, it is through God whom we can find our true hope. Courage. And faith to carry on.

And know this, He will rescue you. It may take longer than you think it should. Or not even happen how you want it to play out. But know He has got you in the palm of His hand and hears your cries. And is planning for His own rescue mission designed especially for you.

“Hope does not disappoint”. Not for three guys from Blessing, Texas. Or for you.

Language

2009-08-24T11:43:00.000-07:00

Ever wanted to learn a second language? I bet most of you have. And even though I took Spanish in high school, most of what I learned has evaporated to the four winds over the years (sorry Ms. Hein, I know you did your best).

But being on a Hispanic Outreach every Saturday, well, it kind of helps to know the language, you know? So that’s why a couple of us on the team are taking a Spanish class over the next six weeks.

And what’s funny is when we first talked about signing up we were all excited and said how much fun it would be. Now, when we get to class I feel a little bit like I’m back in high school and hope I don’t mess up my pronunciation, forget an important word within the phrase and hope I can just kind of “get it”. Although I am pleased to report that we all know the most important phrase of all, “Donde esta el baño?”.

And while going through the class and having Dr. Bonilla (oh, did I mention we’re being taught by a former NASA engineer?) it’s interesting how he patiently walks us through every...single...step...of...it. Keeps telling us to take it slow, not go too fast. Not do too much. Just keep at it, keep practicing and even if we only learn five phrases by the end of the class, that’s five more than we knew before.

Something I’m taking away from the class other than learning a foreign tongue is it strikes me that God works much the same way. He has his own language and whenever we start our relationship with Him some of it, maybe all of it, is hard for us to comprehend. It’s completely new, maybe even strange.

Because He may speak more differently than any other language you’ve heard before. Some of you may only have felt real love and encouragement from one of your parents, but not both. While others have never had a real loving, nurturing relationship in your life. Some have a past that leaves you with guilt and regret. While others have been rejected again and again. And that’s where it becomes strange, because the language of God says you’re loved more than you can imagine, forgiven of every single thing you’ve done wrong and are cherished more than any of His other creations.

Wow, even as a veteran follower of Christ, it’s still hard to comprehend how deep and vast God’s love is for me. For you. For every person we come in contact with. After all, it’s a language like no other. The language of God – Love. Grace. Healing. Mercy. Forgiveness. Acceptance. Joy. And on and on. In that we can all rejoice.

But as with any language, you need to not just comprehend it, but to speak it as well. Practice speaking it to yourself first. Then friends and family. Then to others. After awhile you get better and better and more fluent.

And with God’s love language, it’s no different. Speak to yourself first with love, grace and mercy. Then to friends and family. Encourage them through their struggles and pain. Forgive them for being human and making mistakes. Accept those who are different than you (that one’s tough, I know, but we have to do it). And then speak it to a total stranger.

So here’s my challenge for you this week, actually it’s two. Jot down the phrases, thoughts or ideas God is speaking into your life right now. Is it trust? Faith? Forgiveness? Grace? Patience? Whether it’s through nudges, the Holy Spirit speaking to you or circumstances, try to recognize them and then spend a little time hearing what He’s telling you.

Secondly, put His love language in action in a couple people in your life. Your spouse. A co-worker. A client. A neighbor. Someone who simply needs something positive to happen in their life. Doesn’t have to be rocket science, just practical and honest.

And keep at it until you become more and more fluent in the greatest language of all – the language of God.

Secure

2009-07-16T13:12:00.001-07:00

So for the past three weeks I’ve been attending a free “Getting The Most Out of Your Resumé” class at a local church. And although I’m self employed, I figured it would be a good way to get out of my apartment, meet some new people and, on a self-serving note, get to learn firsthand what H.R. folks look for during an interview. (Here’s a hint: Don’t lie, they know when you’re lying. And wear clean clothes.)

Most of the people in this class are currently unemployed (including one of the H.R. presenters) while others were afraid of being down-sized in the near future. Some had made peace with their situation and were trying to move on while others, well, you could just see the fear in their eyes. The “what am I going to do?” fear wrangling them in its grip.

And you know there are hundreds of classes just like that one going on every night across the U.S. And they’re filled to capacity with people who are looking for some shred of hope to cling to. Real, honest stories. Like the guy told me he’d made a six figure salary “easy” for the past five years, but this year he’ll be lucky to clear $30k. Another woman who told me she’d sent out scores of resumés but hadn’t had a single response.

Keep in mind all I wanted to do was get some insights from H.R. folks, get my resumé evaluated by a professional and network with some of the presenters. That’s it. But I quickly found out (like in the first half hour of the first session) that I needed to put “me” aside and focus on helping others.

Times are hard and I’m not immune to them either, but hearing the stories and sensing the fear some of my classmates are living with made the walk home from class difficult. I’d end up spending the time praying for people like Ann, the single mom of four who’s returning to the workforce after a 10-year absence. Or Monte a customer service rep whose company went through cutbacks and was let go. Or Rob who has done almost everything in the financial sector and now he’s just trying to figure out what it is he wants to do in life. For him, it’s not about the big salary or the corner office, it’s about doing something he enjoys and in his words, “live more, you know?”. Sure do, Rob.

And here’s the thing, each night while walking back home, I’d be praying for Ann or Monte or Rob or George or “God, I forgot the guy’s name, but you know who I’m talking about...” and it became less and less about me and more and more about what I could do for them.

On the walk home last night, I had an urging to read Hebrews. Now understand I don’t read Hebrews. I wasn’t even sure if it was in the New or Old Testament (it’s New Testament by the way). But I felt that nudge to dive into it and see what I could find. Below is the scripture that not only jumped out at me, but was actually underlined in my Bible. I don’t read Hebrews. I don’t mark up my Bible. But there, marked in Hebrews, was the following passage:

Hebrews 10:23-25 – Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Could you use a little “unswerving hope” right now? If so that’s my prayer for you and whatever you’re going through right now. Unemployment. Underemployment. Health issues. Marital issues. “Life” issues. Whatever.

One, that you never, ever swerve from God because He is faithful. Two, that you encourage others in love. And three, that you link arms with other Christians and keep each other moving forward and remind each other who we are in Christ. That we can “do all things in Him”. That He does come through for us – each of us – every time.

Which is exactly the God-inspired encouragement we need in times like these.

Secure

2009-07-11T12:04:00.000-07:00

To know you’re going to be ok. That, in the words of Bob Marley, “Everything’s Gonna To Be Alright”.

To know you’ll still have your job on Monday. And Tuesday. And Wednesday. To know you’ll be able to cover the bills. That the spot on the x-ray will be benign. That your kids will return home safely. That the car will last another year.

To know you have some sense of security.

With that in mind, I’ve got some bad news: There is no such thing as security. No guarantees about your job, your finances, your 401(k) or what Monday has in store for you. Moreover, there’s no way to 100% protect yourself from cancer. No magic cloak to use to protect your kids. And your car? Make sure you check your oil, Mr. Murphy.

Depressing? Sure it is. Which is why most people avoid it. Talking about it. Thinking about it. Even acknowledging that, yes, there are trials in life, but no security. Not in this world anyway.

And we, as a nation, are obsessed with security. “As long as I can just make it through this week, everything will be fine”, “As long as I have ‘x’ amount of dollars in my account, I’m covered”, “As long as I don’t have to deal with that right now, I’ll be fine”.

Is that living? Is that how we’re supposed to get through life? Absolutely not.

It’s times in my life when I’m trying to create my own security that I read the Book of Job. Remember, Job was a righteous man who had everything he could hope for, which made him a prime target for Satan (see...it’s not just you).

Satan tells God that his beloved servant Job wouldn’t be so righteous and so loving if God made him, what’s the word? “Uncomfortable.” You know, put the screws to him a little. But God (being “God”) knows Job’s heart and tells Satan that Job will stay faithful. Go ahead, test him. Trial after miserable trial, catastrophe after catastrophe, the unthinkable comes upon Job until he looses everything. Everything. Except his devotion to God.

It’s only here, at his breaking point, when he’s sitting on a simmering pile of what’s left of his empire and covered with lesions that Job demands to speak with God. Not to curse or defy him, just to ask what in the world is going on. As you read the entire book, you can feel Job’s angst and pain escalate as he cries out to him. And, this is the part I want you to read whenever you are crying out to God, wanting to know, “What in the world is going on here, God?”. Check out Job 38:1-7:

Then the LORD answered Job out of the storm. He said:
“Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge?
Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me.
Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand.
Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it?
On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone-while the morning stars sang together and all the
angels [a] shouted for joy?”

And God is just getting warmed up. As you read the following chapters God, the ultimate defense attorney, piles up more and more evidence of his power for his closing argument. He demonstrates his true might. His awesome power. His unsurpassed knowledge. His perfect timing. And his love for all things he created. As well as, catch this, his never-ceasing provision for those who love him.

In the end, God offers far more than an explanation to Job. But real security. In Him.

100% Guaranteed.

Last

2009-07-05T13:31:00.000-07:00

“Live everyday as if it were your last.”

Ever heard someone say that before? Sure you have. You've probably said it to someone else at one time or another. But lemme ask you this: Do you actually do it, live everyday like it was your last?

After all, if it were truly your last day on Earth, would you have gone to work today? Or, would you have spent the day cherishing your kids? Prizing each last moment soaking in all the beauties and small wonders of this world. Catching one more sunrise. Listening to the wind rustle through the leaves. Watching a bird soar in the sky and letting your mind go with it.

If today was your last day, would you, given the choice, have paid the utility bill or spent the money on one last round of golf (for old times sake)? Would you have worked late finishing up that business proposal or proposed a candlelight dinner with your wife instead?

“Live everyday as if it were your last.” Honestly, how would you “live it”?

Ok, now let me pose this question to you: How would you treat someone – a total stranger, a friend, a former colleague – if you knew today was their last day? (Bet you didn't see that one coming.) What if, just by chance, you knew today was “it” for them in this world. What would you say? How would you treat them?

What if it that person was the Taco Bell employee who just messed up your order (again)? Or the guy who just totally cut you off in traffic? Or the person at work who just seems to delight in your suffering?

How would you treat them knowing today was their last day?

After all, it happens. You no doubt know of someone, maybe a person you just saw a week earlier, who you later found out were now gone. And when you hear the news of their passing, well, it kind of takes your breath away, doesn’t it? I know how I felt when I learned that someone I knew had passed on too soon. It stops you in your tracks and puts your whole world on hold.

I believe that’s the exact impact Jesus was after when he said in John 15: 12-17, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other.”

Love each other. Like it was your last day, not to live, but to love. To appreciate. To serve. To encourage. And treat each other like it was their last day. To show a little more compassion. Offer some understanding. Demonstrate to someone that God really cares about them more than they could ever imagine.

Because truth of the matter is, someday will be your last day. And theirs as well. But that’s not what really matters here. What matters is how we treat each other the rest of the days we’ve been blessed with.

So we can always live as a true blessing to someone else.

Miracle

2009-06-10T08:16:00.000-07:00

Heal the lame. Raise the dead. Or befriend someone shunned by society.

Which one seems the most miraculous to you?

Before reading Acts 9:32-43, my money would have been on one of the first two, but now I’m not so sure. Take a look at the following passage.

As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the saints in Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, a paralytic who had been bedridden for eight years [eight years!]. “Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and take care of your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up. All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.

In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which, when translated, is Dorcas), who was always doing good and helping the poor. About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!”

Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.

Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called the believers and the widows and presented her to them alive. This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord. Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon.

So let’s set the scene. Peter takes the disabled, the diseased and the despised and blesses each one in mighty ways. With Aeneas and Dorcas he performs miracles in the name of Jesus to give them new life (Aeneas is able to walk again, Dorcas is literally brought back to life). You can imagine their lives afterward.

But for Simon, well, it’s a little more tricky.

See, Simon was a tanner which was seen at the time as a dirty, despised job, one that was very looked down upon. Because his business was dealing with dirty animal carcasses day in, day out which meant Simon was seen as “unclean” among the Jews. Along with shepherds, tanners were on the fringe of society. And Peter’s decision to stay with Simon was an act that showed he was willing to reject traditional Jewish discrimination.

Which is what I want to address. A lot of times we read about the miracles that Jesus performed and are in awe. Or we read about the disciples like Peter who healed in the name of Christ and are taken aback, maybe even wishing we could experience something of that magnitude. Something that special.

And as we see from Peter, we can. He doesn’t just befriend the unfriendable, he rejects prejudice in Christ’s name. That’s big. Because we all have our prejudices. Our own judgements. Sometimes we “size someone up” and don’t even know why (I do it all the time). And it’s Christ that says there is only one judge – God Himself.

So my challenge for you this week is to experience the same miracle Peter did, “befriend” someone you currently see as unbefriendable. No, you don’t have to hang out with them or become their new best friend, just do something nice for them. A simple compliment. Ask them how they’re doing. Buy them a cup of coffee. If you find yourself judging, stop and pray. For you and for them. Start small and let God do the rest.

Who knows, maybe you’ll experience your own miracle – healing against judgement – in your own life.

Cookout

2009-06-01T06:09:00.000-07:00

Let’s kick summer off right. Let’s talk about a cookout.

But, nay, not just an ordinary cookout. A true feast. A banquet. With giant smoked turkey legs and everything. And here’s the good news, you’re part of it right now, even as we speak. So grab a Chinette plate, your plastic fork and enjoy.

To set the scene, let’s take a look at Luke 14: 15-24, the Parable of the Great Banquet.

When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, “Blessed is the man who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.” Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ “

“But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’ “Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’ “Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’

“The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’

“ ‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’ “

“Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full. I tell you, not one of those men who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.’ “

Ah, now that’s a cookout, isn’t it? Invite everyone and anyone, no matter who they are, except those who told the master (in not-so-many words) “Sorry...I’m kind of busy.”

Which is precisely what I’m getting at. Because you are taking part in that very feast right now. You haven’t told God you’re “too busy” or have better things to do. Instead you act like the servant who goes out and finds people to serve. You lead an outreach at church. You care for an ailing family member. You pay for a stranger’s lunch. You....are taking part in this feast. And I don’t want that very key point to pass you by.

Because for a lot of us, we serve with a sense of duty. Because our hearts lead us to unquestionably “go for it”. Or it’s just something you do and don’t think twice about it. But I don’t want you to miss the big point and realize what your acts of grace, kindness, love and charity really are – a place at a Great Banquet being thrown by God Himself.

Sadly, I’ve missed out on that point many times when doing an outreach and don’t ever want that for you. Not anymore. So if this “60” plants a seed in just one person’s brain and they realize that serving is being part of the best cookout ever, then it's done its job.

Tomorrow, instead of trying to make the Hispanic Outreach perfect, I’m going to focus more on Who makes it perfect. Instead of paying for someone else’s order at a fast food joint thinking about my minor sacrifice requiring me to skip the fries, I’m going to just be grateful they get to share the fruits of the feast.

So this summer, enjoy your own “cookouts”. Whether you invite friends for burgers and dogs or serve a stranger so they may know about God’s bounty.

But never – never – miss that one simple fact. That we all get to enjoy a place at the table of God’s feast.

Good

2009-05-21T13:40:00.000-07:00

So even the news is tired of the news.

Tired of economic misery and misbehavior. Tired of reading the words “more layoffs” off the teleprompter. Tired of reporting yet another economic scandal.

NBC Nightly News has now turned its once weekly exposé, “Making a Difference” into a nightly feature with news anchor Brian Williams earlier this week looking dead into the camera and saying, “Please keep sending us your stories of kindness in these uncertain economic times”.

Oprah Winfrey seems to have had enough too as she dedicated an entire show and a large part of her website to “Heroes in Hard Times” which focused on peoples’ acts of kindness both big and small. Other news outlets are following suit, just looking for something uplifting to report. Anything. A cat battling an oscillating fan. Sure, we’ll report that.

The one similarity I see in all these stories (the cat one excluded) is that the people doing the acts of generosity simply used what they had to help others. Their time. Their talents. The roadside motel they just bought, the unused church gym or, in one case, the equity in a dump truck to help a total stranger buy back her foreclosed home.

In every case, every single one, the “hero” said they didn’t feel like a “hero”. They were just doing what needed to be done. The laid off construction worker donating her time to tutor at an after-school program. The unemployed dancer teaching inner-city kids ballet. The lady who calls area hotels asking for old bedding they would otherwise just throw away she now collects and donates to area homeless shelters.

Some see it as an upspring, an almost a new ideal in hometown America. But in the Bible it can be clearly seen, time and time again. Acts of greatness done for the greater good. Simply because they needed to be done.

Take David for example. He defeated Goliath with the tools he already knew how to use for the good of others. He had emerged extremely skilled with his sling after years of being a shepherd. And note that while King Saul, the Israelite leader and the tallest of all the Isrealites, was afraid to face Goliath, David sprang at the chance to go after the Philistine.

Why? Because – and this is important – while all the other Israelites saw Goliath as a giant, David saw him simply as a mortal man defying God. And David, knowing God had been preparing him for this very day, shunned the need to use the king’s armor or brandish a sword. There he went. Alone. No frills. Nothing fancy. Doing something he‘d done a thousand times before. He just picked up his all-too-familiar sling and kept one thing in mind: Hit the mark and this will all be over.

The last words Goliath heard were, “...it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” Seconds later he lay there, dead, as his army fled.

And that is what I want you to know, God is training you, or has trained you, with gifts and experiences so you yourself can play the role of hero for His greater good in the life of someone else. Ok, sure, maybe you slay the giant. Or maybe you pay for a struggling mom’s tank of gas. Maybe you donate your yard sale earnings to charity. Maybe you go visit folks in a nursing home. Maybe you...got another idea? Good. Go for it.

Whatever the case, I encourage you to go out there and do it - and do it now. Remember, nothing flashy or fancy. Nothing that takes a committee or “group approval” to make happen. Because simple things can lead to God-sized results. A lady gets her house back. A diabetic gets the treatment he needs to survive. A single mom gets fresh bedding for her kids. And on and on.

Heroes? Maybe not. God’s fingerprints? Absolutely.

Hero

2009-05-14T09:20:00.000-07:00

Meet an unlikely hero - Moses.

We tend to mythicize the people in the Bible and forget that the key players we read about were real, flawed people just like us. We get caught up in the romanticized Renaissance paintings and the stained glass portraits and forget they too had their doubts in themselves and, a lot of times, in God. Doesn’t matter who you look at – David, Jacob, Paul, Abraham, Jonah – they all, each one, had their shortcomings and their all too human flaws.

But God worked through them in spite of themselves. Including Moses.

Ok, I know when we think of Moses we tend to envision the Charlton Heston version with white beard and flowing hair blowing defiantly in the wind standing atop a mountain thundering out the declaration, “This...is the Word of God!” But let’s it back it up a bit. Between killing the Egyptian and the Red Sea opening up, Moses’s life was pretty much in the toilet. Because it’s here we find Moses tending sheep. Not even tending his own flock, but his father-in-law’s. The most boring, looked down upon job at the time. And he’s leading these sheep not into lush pastures along scenic vistas, but to the far side of the desert. Not exactly a postcard moment.

But this is where Moses’s life is right now. He’s got nothing but time on his hands. Nothing to go back to. Nothing to look forward to. In a sense, he’s kind of in his own desert, biding his time.

Moses. The human. Broken. Wandering. Wondering.

And this is where the roller coaster ride begins. Moses, minding his own business, notices something peculiar, a bush that’s burning but not burning up. He may have watched this bush burn for hours before curiosity got the best of him, and he had to check it out.

And you all know this part. God talks to Moses, tells him that He’s heard His people suffer and He’s going to make things right. He’s going to rescue them. He’s going to bring them up. He’s going to bring them into a land of milk and honey. It’s the best pep talk ever known to man, complete with it’s own catch phrase, and all Moses needs to do is go tell Pharaoh all this and God will deliver His people.

Moses’s reply? “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring out the Israelites?” In other words, “Sorry God, I’m a nobody”. The next verses play out like a kid learning how to ride a bike while deathly afraid Dad will let go of the seat. Seriously, read it for yourself, it’s almost comical. This Moses, who’s been tending sheep in the desert for years is approached by God to end the suffering of His people and Moses comes back with arguments, reasons, probably even a pie chart or two why he’s not good enough to carry out God’s plan. Even after God gives him three miraculous signs as proof (plus a burning bush), Moses tells God “I can’t pull this off.” Instead (and this is the part I love) Moses starts giving God suggestions who would be better suited for the job.

Sounds absurd, doesn’t it?

So lemme ask you this, ever been “Moses” in your own life? Felt a leading, a nudging from God to do something and in turn give Him all the reasons why you’re the most unqualified person in the world to do it? What about the hopes and dreams on your heart? Do you find a way to talk yourself out of pursuing them because you find yourself lacking?

It’s ok, we all have. And you’re right, on your own you may be inadequate. But God isn’t. Now is the time, if God has been leading you, to work with Him on something bigger than yourself. For you trust Him and go for it. To not give God reasons you can’t, but consider all the reasons He can.

Because He will lead you out of your own desert. And onto much better places.

Small

2009-05-08T08:41:00.000-07:00

Sometimes we just get so wrapped up in the world and all its problems (and ours) that, I don’t care if you go to church every single day and are in ten small groups, we get wrapped up the “bigness” of it all and consumed by how seemingly small we are. And we're left with that nagging feeling we're unable to really do anything about it. Any of it.

But, know this, it doesn’t phase Jesus. Not one bit. In fact, I think he enjoys showing His people who is in control. There are many examples of this throughout the Bible, but one of the best is in John 6: 1-14. I know you know this passage, probably by heart, but read through it again. I want to point out a couple things.

“Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias), and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the miraculous signs he had performed on the sick. Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples. The Jewish Passover Feast was near.

When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.

Philip answered him, “Eight months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!”

Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”

Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of them. Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.

When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.

After the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus did, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.”

Jesus sets up the this scene just to prove a point to his disciples. In pure Jesus fashion, there is a problem, a big problem, and Jesus approaches it by asking a simple, casual question, “Gosh, how are we going to feed all these people?” His disciples response? Well, they kind of freak out. Note Phillip’s reply, “...eight month’s wages isn’t enough for each person to have a single bite!” Like I said, they freak out a little. Hey, don't we all.

So that’s the set up. Jesus is again against the impossible. I can almost hear one of the disciples muttering, “We...are in trouble.” while another looks around for the quickest escape route. And it’s at this point Jesus does His thing. With what? Read through the passage again. With a (small) boy. With five small loaves of bread. And two small fish.

Overwhelming circumstances? Jesus comes through using three small, ordinary items to do, not just the impossible, but the unfathomable. And He could have left it at that. Fed the people. Preached a little and headed on to the next town. And it would still have been amazing. But – and this is key – Jesus being the Great Teacher told his disciples to fill up baskets with what was left over after everyone had had their fill. In the end, they loaded up twelve baskets of abundance. Twelve. Why twelve? Perhaps Jesus wanted his disciples to each carry a basket to the next stop to hammer home the point and leave no doubt – that He takes on our impossible and leaves His abundance.

So this week, come up with some areas in your life where you feel you feel you're too small or life is too big for you to handle right now. And then pray, honestly and openly, that Jesus demonstrates how He can work in your life to conquer the impossible. To show you He is in control. So you can experience His abundance in your life. And carry it with you always.

Day Four

2009-04-16T08:47:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Day Four.

The day after the big Easter extravaganza. After the pageantry and the triumphant choir. After the pastor’s declaration of the Good News which was met with a round of jubilant cheers from the congregation.

Yes this is Day Four, the real start of the journey. And that’s exactly what it is – a journey. No fanfare. No infectious songs resonating in your head. No “church high” to keep you pumped up. Now is when the real work begins. To start walking day by day in an honest relationship with Christ. As of today, you’re not walking alone, you’re walking with him.

And that is hard.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a new Christian or been one for decades, it’s the journey itself that is so, so difficult. Because life gets in the way and tries to wear you down until you’re right back where you were, if not a little worse off. You make a commitment to have some quiet time each day. Or read a small passage in the Bible every morning. Or subscribe to a daily devotion like “The Daily Bread” with the very best of intentions of sticking with it. Yet, just like the dusty treadmill in the corner of your basement, the self-help financial book that you never finished reading or that closet you keep swearing you’re going to reorganize, it becomes less and less of a priority.

And in a month, maybe two, you find you’re right back where you started. Just kind of “there” spiritually. “Blah” and unfulfilled. Still craving to know what Jesus is all about. Wishing you could have even something moderately resembling a relationship with him. Or maybe, you simply want to know if he’s real.

So what do you do? You get honest. With yourself and God. You don’t worry about what you’re not or where you are in life. Sure, life’s taken you on some bad rides and beat you down. And you’ve had your own share of missteps along the way. Don’t worry about it. The Bible is full of people like that. And that’s exactly why God chose them. He always picks the unlikely, the marginalized, even the screw ups to prove His point. That He is real. The He is in control. And that He is still at work today.

And all he wants is a relationship – a real, open, honest, continuous relationship – with you.

So, us being honest and all, here’s the million-dollar question to start off your journey: what is it you really want out a relationship with Christ? Take a minute to think about that. Be honest and don’t just give the typical Sunday School answer here. Dig deep and tell God what you’re looking for. What do you really want out of this relationship...this journey?

Then (and remember, we’re being honest here) what can you put into that relationship right now? Ten minutes a day? Half an hour a couple times a week? Your lunch break on Wednesdays? A bi-weekly small group? Whatever it is, it’s ok. Because five honest minutes building a solid relationship with Christ is far better than a distracted hour in a small group. This is all about you and God, not trying to look good to others or doing all “the right things”. And certainly not about checking something off a to-do list.

Got those two questions answered? Good. Now walk. With him. Baby steps at first. Don’t expect too much from yourself right out of the gate. And if it takes some time and some work to find your unique rhythm as to what works best to have that honest, open time with Christ, don’t worry about it.

Just don’t quit. Keep walking. Keep going. Just walk with him. A little more every day. Until your simple walk becomes a journey. A journey you’re sharing with him.

Day Two

2009-04-09T11:11:00.000-07:00

Let’s go back. Before marshmallow eggs. Before the Easter Bunny. Before little girls wore festive bonnets.

Let’s go back to the day after Jesus was crucified. And the day before his resurrection. That, Day Two, is a day that’s rarely spoken of but the one I’m most intrigued by.

Here’s why: Imagine yourself as a follower of Christ in that time. Maybe you’ve been around him. Maybe you’ve heard him speak. Maybe you were a leper, a widow or a begger for whom he had performed a miracle. What if you were one of the masses that saw him do miraculous things. You heard him, in person, say radical, yet Godly, things. You saw Him preach and something inside of you just believed in Him.

“This is the guy...this is truly The Messiah.”

And yet today, on Day Two, He’s lying there in a tomb. Left to rot and fade away.

Now, let me ask you, where is your faith today (“today” being Day Two)?

Is it lost? Is it teetering? Are you having second thoughts about Him? Don’t forget, he’s risen others from the dead, yet He himself is dead. How does your mind process this?

What would you honestly be feeling? It’s hard, I know. And after the shock and horror of Jesus being beaten, mocked and crucified, Day Two creeps in and the realization hits you – Jesus is dead. And you’re left to either still believe in Him or let doubt take over.

Now here comes the heavy part, for a lot of us it’s Day Two everyday. We struggle to believe things will get better. We know Jesus can cure, can enable, and make us whole again. We’ve read about it, maybe even seen it for ourselves. But where is He today? Is He really still alive? Where is He when we struggle with our jobs? With our marriages? To simply make it through the week?

We struggle just to hang on, to cling to something lined with truth and hope and pray that Jesus is still alive. That He still works miracles. That He still heals. And most importantly, that He can work in our lives like He worked in others.

For you, I want to tell you one thing – Day Three is coming for you. Know that. Own it. Don’t let doubt and cynicism creep in. Don’t let your past dictate your future. Because, please believe this, your Day Three is coming. Your own resurrection. Your own miracle. Your own “walking out into the light when everyone else had you pegged for dead”.

Because Jesus did rise on Day Three. He fulfilled the prophesies and His own promises to His followers. He showed the stark contrast between life in Him and trying to live in the world. He showed once and for all that nothing – not even death – can stop Him or derail His plans.

And yes, He does have plans for you.

So this weekend between your observation of Good Friday and the celebration of Easter, I want to encourage each of you to spend some time on Saturday thinking what it would have been like for you personally over 2000 years ago. On Friday, they took your Messiah away, tortured and beat him until he bled out. And today, Day Two, you have no knowledge of what’s to come. Are you still believing in Jesus? Or having your doubts?

Do that and let me assure you, when you hear the Good News on Day Three, it will mean more to you than it ever has before. Be more “real” and deepen your faith. So you can experience your own Day Three. And know Jesus is alive and walking with you every day from here on out.

Gauges

2009-04-02T12:43:00.000-07:00

Mile marker 62. An hour outside Cincinnati. That’s when the oil pressure gauge in my truck started to flutter.

And I started to pray.

Now, I know it’s easy to dismiss someone else having car trouble. I’ve done it, we all do it. But when it’s you in trouble, well, well, well, that’s a whole 'nother story, isn’t it? And no matter how many Clint Eastwood films I’ve memorized, or Steve McQueen DVDs I own, I was doing everything I could to keep my cool.

Even though the engine was running fine – it sounded fine, it felt fine, no huge plumes of smoke coming out the exhaust pipe – the simple fact that that one single gauge wasn’t working right had me sweating. And praying. Hard.

After 15-20 minutes of borderline panic, I’d simply had enough and said, “No...I’m not going to be afraid. No, no, no. Not going to do it”. And I started praying if God wanted my truck to break down, for me to be even more behind at work, for me to rack up yet another tow charge and repair bill, well then fine, it’s His deal. But I didn’t think so. And all I got back was a soft, “Keep going...this is what having real faith is all about.”

“Real faith”. Uh-oh. Because my faith pretty much stinks. All God was asking me to do was to keep driving and have faith I would make it home ok. And all I wanted to do was bail.

Because faith is tough. We pray. We hope. We try to do the right things and hope we’re doing what God wants us to. But, for a lot of us, we keep looking for gauges in our life to “see” if everything’s ok or not. Which is the rub, because God is more interested in what we do in faith than acts of obedience or being “good”. It’s tough, trust me, I know. Sometimes it’s the hardest thing we can go through.

Just how important is faith to God? Check out Hebrews chapter 11. The first couple verses set it all up right out of the gate, “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.”

And what follows those verses is a laundry list of biblical “All Stars” as well as a description of how their faith led to their eventual greatness. Abel. Enoch. Noah. Abraham. And the list goes on and on. What’s interesting is the author makes sure to list the adversity each person went through first, then how their faith lead to their eventual success. Much more than simply saying “faith is good”, the author makes it crystal clear by listing first the struggle, then the glory. Check it out for yourself, I think it’ll really inspire you.

So here’s the deal. What I want for you, as well as myself, is to be more open with your faith, your white knuckle faith, in God. Sure, it makes you vulnerable. Open to failure. Takes the “control” out of your hands and gives it back to God. For some of you, it may be the hardest thing you’ve ever done, and that’s ok. But know this, God honors those who have faith in Him (again, read Hebrews 11). If He’s nudging you to do something in pure faith, it can be scary, it can be completely outside your comfort zone, and, it can be the best decision you ever made.

And He will get you through it, every single time. That’s what I learned. So then next time, you’ll be able to not look at your own gauges to “see” if everything is ok but instead, step out in faith to say, “Ok, God, I really do trust you. Let’s do this...together.”

Dreams

2009-04-02T12:34:00.000-07:00

“Mama...what’s a pipe dream?”

That’s what she heard her little sister ask her mother through the kitchen door. But there she was, our dreamer, busy in the bedroom packing up all her worldly belongings into a hand-me-down suitcase to pursue acting in New York.

But this was the early 1950s. And she was living in a boarding house with her mother, grandmother and step sister in an impoverished area of California. Not exactly a guaranteed recipe for success, huh? Didn’t matter, because she was going for it. She was off to realize her dream. Her “pipe dream” as her mother had put it.

So, lemme ask you, do you have a pipe dream?

What’s that one reoccurring notion that lives with you day in and day out and is much more than just a self-serving wish, but more like a calling? That idea that’s more about purpose than about “you”? That initiative that you speak so passionately about, others around you can’t help but get excited about it as well?

Over the past month, I’ve had the pleasure meeting with several people who all have their own passionate calling, vision, business idea or ministry. They see a need. They want to act. To seek out an opportunity and go for it full throttle. Whether other people are whispering “pipe dream” in the next room is irrelevant to them. They’re planning, doing due diligence, making contacts and seeking advice to get things off the ground.

And this is why I’m bringing this up in this week’s “60”, God loves people who will follow Him blindly. Whether it’s something burning in your heart or you have your own “Voice from Heaven” experience, God seeks out the unlikely dreamers who have simple faith in Him and the guts to see it through. And the more room we leave for God to do the miraculous, the more miraculous it becomes.

Such was the case with Jeremiah. Jeremiah was a unlikely prophet from a obscure little village that God had preordained to guide His nation in a critical hour. That’s pretty heavy stuff for a young kid. It’s in Jeremiah, the very first chapter in fact, where God tells him audibly, “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. Before you were born, I set you apart.” Again, pretty heavy stuff.

And Jeremiah, in very typical, human, “Who me?” fashion basically tells God that he’s not so sure if he can pull it off. He’s too young. He’s not eloquent enough. He doesn’t have enough experience. In short, “Thanks God, but I’m not sure if I’m the right guy for the job.”

But God presses on with Jeremiah, and in using yet another unlikely hero to get the job done, He does so in miraculous fashion. If you read through Jeremiah, you’ll find his message wasn’t terribly popular with the people. He was met with road blocks, the wrath of other prophets, even death threats from royalty as well as extreme resistance every step along the way. But God gave him enough to see him through to make His will happen, His message heard and His vision succeed.

Jeremiah 1:7-8 says,“‘Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,’ declares the Lord.” Know that. God has a specific purpose and a specific plan for your life. God is there for you every hard, arduous step along the journey toward the dream. And He won't let you fail.

So this week, spend some time with God discussing your own dream and see what He has to say about it. If it’s the right time. If it’s even the right dream. And if it is, that He blesses and guides you as he did Jeremiah. Every single step along the way.

Because God loves a dreamer who follows Him. Whether your a prophet. An entrepreneur. A servant to others. Or, a pipe dreamer named Carol Burnett packing up your suitcase for New York City.

Fear

2009-04-02T12:11:00.000-07:00

Fear. It sucks. And it sucks the life right out of you.

And right now, a lot of folks are living with a ton of it. Losing their jobs. Losing their homes. Losing their faith. Losing the life they once enjoyed.

Or, ok, let’s get a little more personal. Fear of failure. Fear of starting a new relationship. Fear a current relationship is on the rocks. Fear of being 50 years old and having no earthly idea what you’re supposed to do with your life. Fear of existing and never really living.

Me? I was living with fear solid for over two years. Day in. Day out. It was like trying to lose my own shadow, constantly right there with me driving everything I did and didn’t do. I'd started my own business and was living off unemployment and savings for the first year and was scraping up as many clients as possible to make it through Year Two. And it was tough, and it still is. But there comes a point...and I want you to know this 100%...there comes a point where it either breaks you or you break it.

And for me, this past Christmas morning was when it broke. Not me, “it”.

I had driven from Cincinnati into Evansville to play my recurring (and critically acclaimed) role of Santa Claus for my nieces and nephew. So after my 5:45 am showtime, I was driving back to my grandpa’s house when I was pulled over for speeding. The officer’s first question - no kidding - was,“Have you been drinking tonight?” I’d driven in from Cincinnati. I’d played the role of the Jolly Elf. But drinking at 6:30 on Christmas morning? No sir, I don’t believe so.

And here comes the fear part: After he took my license and was running it through the system, well, that was it. I just started shaking my head and gritting my teeth. I’d had enough. Now, it wasn’t just about getting nailed by a small-town speed trap. It was simply I’d had enough of living in fear. Period. And in a gut-level prayer I pretty much said as much. I was done. Had enough. Whatever happened, it was God’s show. But let it come, let’s get this over with and move on.

In Luke 8:40-56, we find that Jesus is being called by Jairus to heal his twelve-year-old daughter. Along the way, a sick woman touches his cloak and He pauses to ask, “Who touched me?”. He then begins talking with the woman. While Jesus is still talking to the now-healed woman, friends of Jairus come to tell him his daughter, his twelve-year-old daughter, is now dead.

Ok, let’s stop there. Time is running out for the girl, she’s gravely ill and Jesus, more than being slowed by a mob, is being held up by this woman who wants to be healed. There’s a girl dying nearby, in fact, she’s the reason Jesus came here in the first place and she’s going to die if he doesn’t get to her soon. But, instead, he’s chatting with this woman. How would you react? With fear or confidence?

That’s when Jairus’s friends tell him his daughter is dead. It’s no use. There’s no hope. In fact they say, “Don’t bother the teacher anymore.”

But here’s the spin. Jesus tells Jairus, “Don’t be afraid, the girl will be healed.” When they arrive at his house, the Bible says all the people were wailing in grief. But Jesus? He gets annoyed. Annoyed with the people crying and sobbing and carrying on and orders them to stop it (seriously, read it) and then tells the little girl to get up....which to everyone’s amazement, she does. Jesus even gives her something to eat just to show people how alive she really is.

And that’s what I want for you if you’re living with constant fear or even fear about certain aspects of your life. Life will tell you, “Don’t bother the teacher anymore”. That’s it’s no use. There’s no hope.

But Jesus, he’s no worried. He shows up and more than revives you, He feeds you as well. We just have to give it to Him, trust Him and believe in His word. Even after all seems lost and in the grave that He will revive you. Your spirit. Your hope. Your life.

Because He can. And He does. And all the while reminds us, "Don't be afraid".

Thankful

2009-04-02T12:06:00.000-07:00

Sometimes you just have to stop and be thankful.

And I’m not talking about the “sit-around-the-Thanksgiving-Day-table-and-take-a-turn-saying-thanks-for-Aunt-Hazel-and-her-cranberry-salad” kind of thankful. And not the “just-found-my-car-keys” or the “got-the-’A’-I-needed-to-cover-my-butt” thankful, either.

No, I’m talking about gut-level gratitude. Those times when your world slows down, maybe even stops, for a minute or two and the only thing you want to do is say, “Thank you, God. Really, thank you”.

See, if you’re anything like me, we get stuck in that rut where we pray (and sometimes half heatedly) and just kind of hope for the best. So we throw up a hollow prayer and it’s kind of like sticking a token in a slot machine. You hope you win big, that God answers your prayer...maybe even half-way answers it...but down below you’re pretty sure you won’t see a three of a kind. Usually you just get a pear, a plum and a lemon.

And then we conclude, “oh, it’s God’s will” and go about our life.

But then, then, there are the times when God comes through in big, huge, audacious ways that can only be attributed to Him. They can’t find any trace of the cancer. An opportunity that seemed like a wish too delicate to actually hope for presents itself. Haunting ghosts from the past diminish as you look around and see the sun shining on you.

All that...and it’s only Monday.

And for those experiences, for those times, for those kind of days, yeah, I have to stop and be thankful. And it means even more because I’m really lousy at praying.

Since I’m a writer, I know how to insert bullet points of necessary information into conversational prose. Add in some humor here, make a poignant point there and everything comes out sounding pretty good. But when I do that in prayer, it usually ends up as a clunky collection of words. Not from the heart at all. Just shallow. Superficial.

And I get frustrated and end up saying something like, “(*sigh*) God...I’m really crappy at this..so here’s what I’m thinking...who I want to pray for and I guess you’ll do whatever You want to do anyway. But whatever happens, just don’t let me get in Your way. Amen.”

But that’s the thing with God. He’s not looking for professional orators. He doesn’t care if you can recite Bible passages as you pray. He doesn’t care if you don’t "get it right”. It makes no matter whether you’re on a pulpit or a park bench. In a church or a Chinese restaurant. He just wants you.

A conversation, a relationship, with you. For you to be open. Honest. Trusting. Lay it on Him, He can take it. He knows your heart. He knows your past. He knows you fears, your dreams, your desires.

In short, He knows you. And He just wants you to know Him.

The only way to do that is with real, honest dialogue. With a real, honest God. And when we do that – be real with Him – that’s when the real prayer comes out. Answers come. And blessings begin.

And for that, yes, I am truly thankful.

So go ahead, have your own conversation with Him sometime this week. And just see what happens in your own life. I'm betting it's something you'll end up being grateful for.

Walker

2009-04-02T11:57:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, I was back in my hometown and spent Sunday morning with my dad and step mom at church. The service opened with the 5-6 year old kids singing, “The B-I-B-L-E (Yes, That’s The Book For Me!)” on stage. And, in typical little kid fashion, most of them sang out of sequence, forgot the words, were clapping off beat or simply looking at the "Jumbotron" while their teachers tried to coax them through the song.

And as it happens with 5-6 year olds singing out of sequence, forgetting the words and clapping off beat, everyone in the audience was smiling. Parents were waving at their little performer and grandparents’ eyes welled up with tears. And, ok sure, I’m a sucker for little kids singing and clapping so I dug it, too. When they ending their arousing rendition of “B-I-B-L-E” the kids walked off the platform. Most of them waved to their parents and I, along with the rest of the congregation, gave them their due applause.

But then, I saw “her”. And as I write this, I still get chills.

See, as all the other kids were happily bounding off the stage, one little girl was hobbling towards the edge of the platform where her teacher brought out her walker, her child-sized walker. Dressed in her “Sunday best”, I hadn’t seen her leg braces before because they were hidden by the kids standing in front of her. But now there she was, teetering back and forth just to go a few feet to get to her walker. And my heart just went out to her (still does). And even though all the other kids had run off the stage and were no doubt half way to enjoying milk and donuts in their classroom, her teacher was there – right beside her – step by every slow, arduous step.

And for that, for her, I found myself clapping even louder.

Now for a lot of us, we’re like that those other kids. We’re a little off sequence, don’t get the words right half the time and find ourselves just kind of staring around looking for some kind – any kind – of guidance.

But then (and here comes the heavy part) there are the times when we’re the little girl with the leg braces. We’re having trouble “walking” on our own. It’s painful. It’s exhausting. Grueling. And it’s unfair because everyone else is out there running and jumping and here we are just trying to make it one more step. And then another. And maybe another. And we can’t even look at how far we have to walk or we wouldn’t even try.

But here’s the thing, you don’t have to. Not in Christ.

In the book of Luke (24: 13-35) we find the account of Jesus and the Road to Emmaus. Go ahead, crack open your own B-I-B-L-E and read it for yourself. The account is about two of Jesus’s followers who are walking to Emmaus after his Crucifixion and they are completely devastated, broken-hearted and numb. A “stranger” begins walking with them as they travel. Along their seven-mile route, the two disciples of Christ speak with this stranger about Jesus, who He was, what He did and about their pain of the loss of their Teacher.

Upon arriving to the small town, they ask their new acquaintance to stay for dinner and shortly afterward, the stranger leaves. It’s then and only then that they recognized that it was in fact Jesus walking with them the whole time. They didn’t see Him. They didn’t recognize it as Him until He left. But it was Him, walking with them, step by every slow, arduous step on their journey.

Because like any good Teacher, He’s walking with you in the hard times, running with you in the good, but always....always...right there stride for stride. Not just for a few steps or even a couple miles, but throughout your entire journey.

So here’s the challenge: Welcome Jesus into more of your own walk this week and see what happens. Just welcome Him. And see if your steps aren’t a little easier, a little lighter, and your journey isn’t a little better. Each step along the way.

Wind

2009-04-02T11:51:00.000-07:00

The wind. Today it's not kind or pleasant, it's an adversary.

Because it's the wind that came in violent blasts on my drive home and tossed my truck around at will. It's the wind that's taken out power in complete sections of town. It's the wind snapping limbs from trees. Because sometimes, that's what the wind does.

Sometimes that's what life does. It pushes you around. Bullies you. And wears you down.

And you didn't even see it coming.

For some of us, it's like the past year, maybe more, has just been one big wind storm. A loss of a job. Someone you love becomes ill. The stress of a thankless job. You look around and it's just one more thing to deal with, one more burden for you to manage, one more thing on a "to do" list you already didn't have time to do.

And, like the wind, you never even saw it coming.

In Matthew 14: 22-33, we find the disciples, "... in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. About three o'clock in the morning Jesus came to them, walking on the water. When the disciples saw Him, they screamed in terror, thinking He was a ghost. But Jesus spoke to them at once.

"It is all right," He said, "I am here. Do not be afraid." Then Peter called to him, "Lord, if it is really You, tell me to come to you by walking on water." "All right, come," Jesus said.

So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he looked around at the high waves, he was terrified and began to sink. "Save me, Lord!" he shouted. Instantly Jesus reached out His hand and grabbed him. "You do not have much faith," Jesus said. "Why did you doubt me?" And when they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped...

Here's what I want to point out in this account – sometimes, sometimes, a blessing can be terrifying at first. And Jesus simply says, "I am here. Do not be afraid".

And Peter, trusting Jesus, steps out on faith and onto the water. Then the waves kick up and, *wham*, the rug gets pulled out from underneath him. He was doing alright, trusting Jesus, and now he's sinking, just hoping Jesus will save him. And instantly, He does. Jesus reaches out to grab Peter first, then calms the winds.

Which is what I want you to know, the very promise I hope you land on every day of your life – Jesus puts you first. He reaches out and grabs on to you instantly. Without a second thought. No hesitation. The wind...the waves...that's not His focus, you are. Know that. He will calm those in time, but His first instinct is to grab you and keep you safe no matter how bad the storm.

So as I write this tonight, winds howling and sirens wailing in the distance, I'm thinking about what it must have been like on that lake that night with the disciples. More importantly, I'm thinking what wind storms are raging in your life right now. And I just pray that you know Jesus is reaching out for you and puts you first. Always.

Life will beat on you, bully you and try to bury you. But Jesus will reach down and grab on tight and tell you, "It is all right, I am here. Do not be afraid."

Until suddenly, the wind isn't quite as scary anymore.

Shoes

2009-02-04T18:37:00.000-08:00

So after Outreach last weekend my friend Fran and I were talking about some LA La Viña stuff and “So how’s your life?” stuff in the VCC Atrium when a guy that volunteers their started talking to us. The first thing I noticed about him was that he was wearing one slipper and one worn sneaker. As he talked to us and asked how Outreach went, my curiosity got the best of me and I bluntly asked, “Dude, what’s the deal with the slipper?”

He told us he’d had a fire in his apartment and the sneakers he was wearing were all he had. But someone had found one orphan slipper so he had “one good shoe...one not so good”. And it didn’t really bother him, this whole mismatching of the shoes. In fact he seemed more grateful for the nice slipper than worried about the worn shoe. I say worn, but I should say “shot”, a flip flop would have been more foot protection.

When he told me what size shoe he wore, I told him to hang out a minute. Because, wouldn’t you know it? He wore the same size shoe I do and I had a pair of hiking boots in my truck. When I gave them to him, he didn’t really seem to know how to respond. He was happy, sure, but wasn’t sure how to express it. And I knew exactly why.

Because, see, for a lot of us we just get used to dealing with stuff on our own. And just kind of think, “Hey, that’s how it is” and we soldier on, getting through the weeks and the days just “dealing”. For some, it’s carrying the scars of an unpleasant past, for others it’s trying to make it to the next paycheck and for others, well, you know your struggles, you know what I’m trying to get at. And so it goes, we just get through life and “deal”.

Except we don’t. We coexist with it until it numbs our senses and dulls our spirit.

And we need someone to ask us, “Dude, what’s the deal with the slipper?” That’s the first part.

The second part is accepting the gift. And, believe me, not everyone does this. I know I haven’t very well in the past but am getting better (i.e. the super cool Oakley sunglasses my neices and nephew got me for Christmas). My friend wasn’t quite sure how to respond to a simple gift of hiking boots and that’s ok, at least he accepted them. Not just when I handed them to him, but when I saw him wearing them later that day. His life had improved simply because he no longer needed to “deal” with worn out, mismatched shoes anymore, he was moving on in his life and leaving his burden in the trash.

And that’s what I want to talk to you about today. We all “deal” with stuff, just take it on ourselves, try to make the best of it and hope for the best. And that’s not the way God works. God wants a full-on relationship with you, not one where you think something is too small for Him to care about or He’s too busy or has better things to address.

He cares about you. Not just in the emergency, big times. But in the small ones. The minute ones. And especially the ones that drain your spirit, dull your joy and siphon your faith. Now, be sure He will allow struggles and hardships to make you better and draw you closer to him, but even then He wants you to give it to Him. All of it. Good. Bad. Benign. He wants it all from you, so He can give you His all. And real life.

In Matthew 11: 28-30 Jesus says, “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.”

Gentle. Humble. Giving. And wanting to take your burden. Lighten your day. You, at rest.

Sound like something you want in your life?

So here is my challenge for you this week, I want you to think about how you react when people offer you gifts. A Coke. A present. A free dinner. Love and acceptance. Not just how to react to them, but how you react internally. And see if you need to work on your “acceptance skills” a little (I’m getting better at it). Then, I want you to spend some time with God thinking of your own worn out shoes that your dealing with and the “old worn out shoes” you no longer need. And then give them to Him. You don’t need them anymore. They’re worn out and wearing you out. Seriously.

Because just like Saturday, He’ll find a way to get you shoes that are a perfect fit and imporve your walk with Him. With a perfect love that never fails. And a perfect God that wants to take your burdens and make you perfect in His image. Every step along the way.

Have a great week!

A World Opened

2009-01-30T07:44:00.001-08:00

"A door closed, and a world opened."

Ever felt like that? Or do you wish you could feel like that?

I've been on both sides of that coin in my life, more often looking at the closed door than the opening.

But this is a quote from Sean McHugh who started the year off with the Detroit Lions, got cut by the team, and is now playing with the Pittsburgh Steelers (yes, Sean Michael Murphy, you may wave your Terrible Towel, sir).

Now, I know it's easy for us to look at McHugh and say, "Oh, must be nice" and dismiss it. But when you peel back the layers and dig into the whole story, you find out what a gut-wrenching journey he and his family have been on. See, Sean thought he was on the Lions roster solid, so he and his wife bought their first house. Then they found out she was pregnant with their second child. So new house, another child on the way and playing NFL football. Pretty much a dream life.

That is until he was called into the team president's office. And cut. From the worst team in NFL football. Can you imagine that? You're not good enough to play for the Lions? So here is Sean, cut from the lowly Lions organization, no guarantee of a salary, much less the league's minimum $520,000 a year. A baby on the way in addition to an 18-month old son counting on him. His wife depending on him. With just a small savings in the bank. And now they have to sell the house they just bought during one of the worst housing markets in ages.

A door definitely closed on Sean.

But then God showed up. And he got a call that changed his life from the Pittsburgh Steelers. They wanted him to try out, see what he could do. Now, let's pause there a second and lemme ask you this, if you had just been cut from the lousiest, cancer-ridden team in the league and got one shot to try out for one of the most elite squads in all of football history, how would you approach it? What would your mindset be? How much would you put into it?

For Sean McHugh, I'm guessing he gave it everything he had and it's turned out alright for him this year. Now, don't think he's out of the woods because he only has a year contract with the Steelers, so he very well may be cut again and trying out for another team next season. Maybe even the Lions. But he's focused on this Sunday, because he's playing in the Super Bowl.

Matthew 7:7-8 declares, "Be so persistent in your requests to God. Ask, and it will be given to you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, those who seek find, and to those who knock, the door will be opened wide."

Or in Sean McHugh's case, open to a whole new world.
Now, here comes the challenge for this week. I want you to think of the doors that have been closed in your life in order for God to show you your "whole new world". And I'm asking you to spend some time with God talking about that whole new wide-open world and, just like Sean, make the best of it. Just you and God, not pining about what could have been or toiling about who did you wrong. Just spending time with The One who does you right and creates opportunities for you that you could never have done yourself. Every single day. I bet you'll be moved. And impressed. And encouraged. And stop seeing the closed door and see the wide open opportunity God is giving you.

So have a great weekend, enjoy the Super Bowl and I don't know about you, but if I see #49 hit the field on Sunday, I'm gonna be rooting for that guy. And watch how he makes the best of his chance of a lifetime.

I pray you make the best of yours too. With God.

One Shot

2009-01-25T20:51:00.001-08:00

A gut check. That's what I received for taking a 15-minute break. God's "velvet boot" kicking me gently, but ever so effectively, in the kiester to help me gain a truer perspective. Funny how He does that with me. Often.

See, it's been a long, l-o-n-g week. Long hours. Short deadlines. Pressure. And other projects backing up. So today – correction – tonight, I'm running out of gas. Worn down. Spirit fading and desire slowly sliding into a slight state of "numb". So I decided to watch the news for a break. I'm allowed that, right?

So there I am, watching the news, martyring myself and the week when the news does a feature of ProMujer.org. Pro Mujer gives micro loans to poor, yet enterprising, women in Latin America who literally have nothing. Women who were seen as second-class are given small loans to start their own businesses so they (and their children) can survive. The woman the news highlighted lives in Bolivia and through her loan, started her own bakery.

(Warning: here's where the "velvet boot" comes in, kids.) She works, get this, 20 hours a day (no, that's not a typo). 20. Because she's committed to making sure her business doesn't fail. In fact, she now has a few employees (including her husband!) and she hopes to get a car to expand her business soon. And during the interview, she never stopped working - or smiling. Because someone gave her a $17 loan, she can make her own way and in her words, "have dignity".

(BTW – It was at that moment I began to feel small and sheepish.)

So here's the deal. I am tired. Run down and a bit mentally spent for the day. But I can't go to bed without telling you about these couragous, wonderful women. Go check out the web site (ProMujer.org) and I promise you you'll be inspired by their stories. And their perseverence. They dig deep. They only asked for one chance to prove themselves - one chance - and are making good on their promise.

And I can't stress this enough, that's all God wants from you. For you to take a chance on Him.

Just to give Him one shot...one chance to prove Himself to you. For my friend Todd who's 15-year-old son has undergone 41 operations in his short lifetime... and no "expert" thought he'd live to see 15...there's God showing what He can do with His one shot. For a lady who even a short while ago was afraid to pray for people out loud who is now a beloved Outreach leader and tears down cultural walls and hardened barriers with a hug, God's shown her the awesome power what His love can do.

Mark 10:27 says, "Looking at them, Jesus said, 'With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.' ". I want you to print out, copy, jot down that verse for this week and keep it handy. Just keep it in the forefront. Not to memorize it or as some weird "Bible verse chant", but know what it means. To you. From God. "...for all things are possible with God." "With" as in, "you and Him working together."

I know many of you are tired and need the refreshing waters of Christ. Need to know God's promises of protection and deliverence...provision...

rest...peace...favor, all that and more. And He will provide. But He needs you to take a chance on Him (and that's not always easy, I know. Trust is not my strong suit.)

Because here's the deal, God doesn't quit. God doesn't break. God doesn't blink. And God works His will 24/7 and relishes the time you spend with Him. And working His miracles in your life. All because you trust and take a chance on Him.

Which, ironically, isn't chance at all.

Esther

2009-01-07T08:19:00.000-08:00

"And if I die, I die."

Suddenly the account of Esther goes from Cinderella to something more Shakespearean.

Esther, the girl from the wrong side of the tracks. The poor girl whose name means "star". The girl raised by a lowly porter, whose chance of "making it big" were infinite to none.

But there she stood, as a queen, grieving inside the King's palace. A queen with an entire race's fate weighing on her petite shoulders. Because on the other side stood Haman. A man, corrupt and morally bankrupt, who stood as the king's greatest advisor. Haman wanted genocide against the Jewish people because one Jew, Mordecai, wouldn't bow to him. Because of that one defiant act, Haman set out to eradicate every Jew in the land. He had the time. He had the place. And the support of a most powerful king to set his plan into motion.

The only thing standing in his way was a pretty Jewish girl.

And there she stood, perhaps on her balcony of the king's palace which, by the way, the palace foundation alone spanned two and a half acres and rose five stories. I imagine an emotionally torn, grieving Esther looking over the kingdom, her people, her Jewish people knowing she can't simply walk in and ask for an audience with the king, but she must. To do that would show disrespect and could have grave consequences (as it had for her predecessor) but she must act. She must talk to the king to save her people.

"And if I die, I die."

Aside from the words of Jesus, there are few more powerful words spoken throughout the entire Bible. "And if I die, I die." Make no mistake here, Satan had chosen his person to carry out his will, Haman. The king's advisor, a man swayed by egotistical whims who had the power to carry out devastating orders with ease. But in the other corner, ah, the other corner, God chose a woman. A Jewish woman. Two things that carried a serious "second class" label in those days.

God chose Esther. And her response to the peril was, "And if I die, I die." Historians reveal that it was Haman's own pride and egocentric ways which sprung his own trap on himself and led the the unraveling of his plan. Satan had his player. God chose His. And once again, it was the most unlikely hero with whom God proved the victor.

Now, besides being a wonderful account of true events in history (you can visit the palace Esther lived in today), what strikes me is Esther did what was right. Period. It wasn't easy. It wasn't going to make her popular amidst the influential people in the palace. But it was right. She did what she knew she was meant to do, risking her own life in the process, and letting God do the rest.

Which brings me to this: In our world where we hear of corrupt politicians, greedy CEOs and "ethics" seem more like a nice ideal than something held dear, know this. This isn't anything God hasn't seen before, hasn't dealt with before and hasn't beat before. He sets things according to His plan. Always. And He wins.

All He asks is you do the right thing and He'll do the rest. And you may die. Socially. Financially. Professionally. That's the risk He may ask you to take at one time or another in your life. Heavy thought? Sure. But God will have His way by working with you or someone else. He chose someone whose name means "star" over 2,500 years ago to put His will into motion. And her selfless act is celebrated today.

What will you do when he calls your name?

Fed

2008-11-24T07:54:00.000-08:00

So the church I attend, Vineyard Community Church, has a Thanksgiving tradition where we hand out complete Thanksgiving dinners to those who need it most. For some, this along with our Christmas Eve Donut Outreach are the pinnacle of all the outreaches VCC does throughout the year. And this year was no different. Moreover, as the economy has put a strain on peoples' finances and folks are learning to go without, VCC wanted to make sure no one, not a single person, went without hope in Jesus Christ.

'Cause that's our job, that's what we do.

So this year they set an audactious goal - hand out 1,200 complete turkey dinners. Admist people losing their jobs, people's 401(k) plans tanking, people having to cut back and say "no" and budget like never before, Dave Workman, our senior pastor, stood up on stage and asked people if they could give $20-30 and fill up a box so a family could, yes, have a nice Thanksgiving, but also know about our God. About his love, grace and mercy. And Dave knew that would be a lot to ask of some people, so he wasn't expecting everyone to be able to do it. So Dave asked those folks to pray for the dinners that would go out. See, it's not all about the "stuff", it's the divine appoinments. The light touches. The person who's got nothing who receives far more than a dinner, but a deep sense of who God is.

1,200 dinners though? That's up from 900 last year. And during an economic crisis. Was this really going to happen?

As I drove into the VCC parking lot Saturday morning, I couldn't find a spot. So you know, this is a parking lot that fits 2,000 cars easily and I had to park all the way at The Chapel up the road a bit. I had to walk in the 22° blustery cold all the way into the Atrium. And I couldn't have been happier. Because people didn't just show up, they showed up en force. To see all the people walk out with their boxes, most of them decorated by their kids, some wrapped in paper, others splattered with construction paper hearts and messages of love on them where going out the door to their own divine appointments. Stranger meeting stranger. Now friend helping friend. All to say, "God loves you, and we do too".

In the end 1,200 dinners weren't delivered but 1,500. 1,500. Some people took five and six boxes and sacrificed their own Thanksgiving dinners to make that happen. Dave told the congregation he was pulled aside by one man during the outreach who said, "Last year...you guys gave my family a turkey. This year, we get to be the ones handing out a turkey. And our hope is next year, we can do even more."

Now, I could end the "60" there. With warm and fuzzies and the faint taste of cranberry sauce lingering about your mouth. But there is a deeper story here, one you can carry on with you today, on Thanksgiving and deep into the rest of your life. And it's simply this – God feeds his people.

He feeds us. Always. He finds a way. Sometimes it's with a turkey dinner. Other times it's a kind word from a friend. A line of scripture from the Bible. A paycheck when you most need it. A sense of hope when all seems lost. He feeds us when we find ourselves hungering for more than ourself. Something bigger. Something that really means something.

He feeds us. But we need to be willing to trust. Someone once said, "A hand open to give is also open to receive". And for a lot of us, we're really good about the giving part, it's the receiving we need to embrace and cherish. So this week, my prayer for you is to let God "feed" you. Spend some time with him, let Him lead you to some things He's put on your heart lately. Be open to accepting His love and love of you. And the love others have for you as well.

And if you think of it, let your friends and loved ones know about the turkey outreach. Not how a congregation showed up. Or even how VCC showed up. But that God showed up to fed 1,500 families. And you as well.

Beds

2008-11-24T07:09:00.000-08:00

During LA La Viña, an outreach which reaches out to the Hispanic poor in our community, one of the families we serve had one sole immediate need – three kids under the age of 10 in need of beds. The mother, who works very hard couldn't afford beds for her children and it wrecked her to the core. For her kids to sleep on the aged carpet and warmed only by thread-bare blankets...well, how would it make you feel?

But here's how God shows up: Two people, who'd never been on that outreach felt they "needed" to see what it was all about Saturday morning and when the mother's needs were known, each one had a missing component – one had a toddler bed, the other a twin bed for two. And another first-timer had sheets and pillows for the twin bed.

And while the mother was embarrassed to tell us her family's needs, the people who had the items were bursting with excitement, joy and were more than ready to help. (I think there was a suppressed high five floating about the room amidst the tears of joy.)

So today, twelve people, most of us strangers, regrouped again after meeting each other for the first time yesterday, to go back over to deliver two beds and bedding for three kids who'd been sleeping on matted, worn out carpet for over a year.

And that....that...is Christ in action, kids. Princess bedding for the girls. Batman bedding for the little boy.

And let me say, this is not about a good deed, or about a "warm and fuzzy" at the end of the day, it's all about Christ in action. Period. And how He puts the right people in the right places in the right time to help three little amigos in others path just to so He can say, "Sleep well tonight...for you..are a child of God."

So to Kimberly, Jennie and Railey. "Jesus te ama."

And we do too.

Saturday

2008-11-14T08:19:00.000-08:00

I was asked to give the devotional before our Saturday church-wide Outreach. Since I received a lot of positive feedback on it, I'm going to use it as the base for this week's "60". I hope you enjoy it.

Today is the best day of the week for a lot of people. Not because it's the start of the weekend or the end of another work week. No, it's because of you. Because you care. Because you know their stories, you know their pains, you know what they're going through.

Because on Saturday morning when our homeless friends see the vans pulling up, the tables being unloaded and the coolers being set up, they know what's coming. And for our Hispanic friends at The Willows, when they see us toting grocery bags and diapers, they know what's coming. We see them standing at the corner waiting for us. We see kids looking out their windows waiting for us to show up.

That's what makes it the best day of the week.

You. Caring. Listening. And coming back.

Matthew 25 says, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."

I like how our teaching pastor Joe Boyd put it, "Throw a party for people who can never repay you". Now, I'm not sure if ham sandwiches and some hot cocoa, or a bag of dry beans and rice constitutes a party, but we'll take it. And we'll love everything we've got to serve them with.

And I'd like to say that after the historic election this week, I want to remind you we're not called to spread a message of political hope. No, we're called to witness to the promise that is Jesus Christ. And we're not called to be political mavericks, but servants in the name of Christ.

Because on Tuesday night when one of our friends in Washington Park is tempted to hit the bottle or hit the pipe, we want him to hit his knees and say, "God, I want you, not this". And we'll be right there with him. And on Wednesday morning when there is little work and even less money for a single working mom with three kids and she wants to give up, we want her to give it all to God and see what happens when He works in her life.

After all, you were once lost and someone went through hell and earth to find you. You were blind and someone showed you who you really are in Christ. And that's all we're doing today. Finding and showing. All through Christ.

So I want you to remember that today is the best day of the week for someone you're serving. So you can smile a little brighter. Listen and little deeper. And love a with a little more abandon.

Now, what do you say we go out and serve someone?

Odds

2008-11-07T09:08:00.001-08:00

See that photo? That's Ken Mink, age 73, playing for Roane State Community College shooting two free throws. No, it's not a PR stunt. Or a gimmick. It's not even and intersquad scrimmage. That's Ken, at age 73, shooting two free throws during a regulation game. More importantly, it put to rest something that bothered Ken for over 50 years.

See, over half a century ago, Ken was a scholarship basketball player for another college. One night, the basketball coach's office was soaped and Ken took the blame for it. For that, he lost his scholarship. No more college. No more basketball. For something his still insists he did not do.

Fast forward 50 years and Ken's want to finish out his basketball career and thirst to redeem himself led him to do something most people would either call foolish or crazy - he wrote every area college and begged them to let him try out for the team. His letter writing campaign resulted in a river of rejection letters.

Except for one, Roane State Community College.

He worked out for the coaches, practiced, learned all the plays, made the team and while coasting to victory against rival King College, Ken was given the chance to play. And that's all he wanted. One chance. Now he's on record a being the oldest person to ever play NCAA basketball (along with two points and a 100% free throw average to his credit).

Redemption. At age 73.

Now let me bring up a kid named Matt Williams. Matt was a good high school kicker but wasn't offered any scholarships to any colleges big or small. Not even a single walk-on invitation. So he attended a larger Division One Texas college, hung out with his friends and on a one-time chance, entered a contest to get one month free rent if he could hit a field goal during half time. Matt was chosen to attempt the feat and in front of a packed football stadium of rowdy college football fans on a Texas afternoon, people cheered, held their breath and watching curiously to see if a no-name kid off the street could even come close to making the field goal.

He nailed it. Solid.

His contest-winning PAT got the attention of the school's coaching staff (and fans) and now Matt is kicking for the number two-ranked football team in the nation, the Texas Tech Red Raiders. And he's still nailing 'em. Solid. Every Saturday.

He took a chance and now he's got a full-ride to Texas Tech.

Unlikely victory. For taking a chance.

In the Bible, we read stories about people who, just like Ken and Matt, took a chance and then beat the odds. Who looked at God and what God could do instead of falling into the trap of everyday mediocrity. A kid with a rock kills a trained assassin. A guy who was completely out manned and out classed in battle took on the opposing force armed with only some clay pots, torches and a few trumpets. And a Man chose twelve less-than-ordinary guys to spread His word throughout the world and through the ages.

All unlikely. All against the odds.

But that's how God works. He defies the odds and says, “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending". He doesn't know what defeat is. He isn't concerned about the odds or the naysayers. And loves it when His people look to Him and go "all in" on Him. His word. His will. His way.

And take a chance on Him.

So this week my prayer for you if that you not look at the odds, instead focus on God. Look to Him for His will in your life and how he wants to use you. Then let Him show you how He'll work through you and with you to not just defy the odds, but to shatter them.

Because the world is holding its breath and watching curiously to see if you can even come close to making your God-sized goals. And with Jesus beside you, trust me, you're going to nail 'em.

Solid.

99

2008-10-31T10:06:00.000-07:00

What were you doing at 9 am on Tuesday? Headed for work? Drinking your first cup of coffee? Heading for work while drinking your first cup of coffee? Can't remember? Me either.

But Keith Thomas sure knows.

Because he was sitting in a courtroom awaiting a ruling of whether he could stay here in the US, or be deported back to England. For those of you who don't know Keith, he's one of the most warm, caring and well-educated people I know. He's lived across the world, has a wonderful family and is a passionate follower of Christ. Problem is, in 1971 (at 17 years old) he was convicted of the importation of cannabis into England from Morocco via a cruise liner he was working on. That's of course before he became a Christian. Now, fast forward almost 40 years and that conviction (which has long been expunged in Britain) now has his US residency in peril.

So back to Tuesday, Keith found out he'll get a one-on-one meeting with an immigration judge sometime in January. So now, after over a year in limbo, he and his family have to wait another 99 days or so to see if he can stay or has to leave.

Thursday, I had lunch with a friend who just found out his mom has cancer. They're not sure what kind yet, but they know it is cancer. He told me he feels like he's getting ripped off because he just recently reconnected with him mom. After many years of separation, they got past their differences and hurts and recently his wife and kids have gotten to know her too. Vacations together. Holidays together. A long overdue phone call just to say, "Hi, Mom...it's me."

And my friend told me that he doesn't care if it's a waiting room, an examination room or a surgery room, he's going to enjoy every minute he gets to spend with her. And if her cancer is incurable, he's taking her to Hawaii. No matter the cost or how much time he has to take off work, they're going - as a family.

So those two accounts within a span of two days leads me to this, how will you treat your next 99 days? Keith will be relishing his friendships and his pastoral job for the next 99 days. My friend will be spending some serious quality time with his mom over the next 99. So what about you?
99 days or so to see if he can stay or has to leave. And although Keith could give up, get frustrated or bury his head under the pillow, he's not. I know Keith and know he'll use the next 99 days as if they were his last in the States. He'll counsel, console, preach, advise, teach and worship a little harder. He'll enjoy the small moments with his wife and kids a bit more. He'll live a little deeper and enjoy life in the states a bit more as his judgement in January draws closer.

In the parable of the prodigal son, Jesus tells the story of a man who has two sons. The younger demands his share of his inheritance while his father is still living, and goes off to a distant country where he "waste[s] his substance with riotous living", and eventually has to take work as a swine herder (clearly a low point, as swine are not kosher in Judaism). There he comes to his senses, and decides to return home and throw himself on his father's mercy, thinking that even if his father does disown him, that being one of his servants is still far better than feeding pigs. But when he returns home, his father greets him with open arms, and hardly gives him a chance to express his repentance; he kills a fatted calf to celebrate his return.

For a lot of us, that's how we treat our life, we squander the time and then scramble to find a quick solve later on. Then we end up thinking, "Man, if I was 25 again", "If I was his age, I'd be able to...", "If I made the kind of money I made back then", "If I didn't have this extra 20 pounds", "If I had more hair", you get the idea.

We "if" away our own existence and end up frittering away the days. One right after another ...plunk...plunk...plunk...until we look back having logged in the time, but have little to show for it. But that's not what God wants for you. No, never. For you to drive home saying, "Well, I put in another day...two more to go 'til the weekend". Or you to look at your past as your only unclaimed chance at a life. A real life. To really "live". Or to look at yourself and not see all you're capable of in Christ. To hone the gifts and talents He gave you. Changing your life through Him. Helping others out of their own cesspools. To live, really live. Each day. Every day. In Him.

That...is what I want for you.

So here's my challenge, you ready? Let's you and I see what we can accomplish in the next 99 days. If Keith can live out loud while he awaits his hearing in front of the judge, if my friend can spend the next three months cherishing each moment around his mom, then certainly I can pick up a torch a bear down on a couple things in my life. And I hope you will too. Write down two things you want to overcome, to get rid of, to begin or finish out in the next 99 days and let's see how God guides and moves you.

For inspiration, I'm sending you a link of what God can do, how lives can be transformed and a community (and a world moved) in the span of just 99 days.

You inspired now? Good. Now, write down your two things and get to gettin'. Because tomorrow morning, you'll only have 98 left.

Mountains

2008-10-22T08:26:00.000-07:00

I was at a meeting last night where a guy named Bob talked about where he came from and where he is today. Bob grew up deep in coal-mining country in West Virginia. He was kicked out of high school, never finished, and his parents assumed he'd get a layman's job in an area mine. But through a stroke of fate, Bob got an office job for the mining company and for awhile thought he had it good. Really good.

Until...

He met a guy who showed him he wasn't living "the good life", he was living an "ok life". Change of perspective. Reality check. Putting on a different pair of glasses.

So Bob did some thinking, put in for two weeks vacation and spent the entire two weeks - day and night - learning how to be his own boss and run his own successful company by learning from someone who was already successful. Someone who was where he wanted to be. Doing it right and loving what he did.

Now Bob, at 75 years old, is wealthy. Really wealthy. But his passion isn't the money, it's helping others change their perspective, get a "reality check" and see things from his point of view to make sure everyone he talks to knows, "there's always a way...I don't care who you are".

A few weeks ago, the church I go to had a party where 800 special needs adults were invited to enjoy a night that had eluded them their entire lives – their high school prom. Over 800 people who had been passed over, made fun of, and put in a corner all their lives were being celebrated, doted upon and cheered. It all started with the loving heart of one of my favorite VCC staffers, Harmony Hensley, who had an unwavering vision to bring together, not just the 800 special needs adults, but 1,000 volunteers as well. And food. And games. And free dresses. And tuxes. And limo service. And a red carpet. And photographers. And a disco ball...gotta have a disco ball.

Because Harmony, like Bob's mentor, wanted to change peoples' perspectives. About themselves. Throw a reality check party. Have people put on a different pair of glasses and see things from another angle. And to say The Prom was a success is a vast understatement. Just hearing the buzz about it the next day was enough to know The Prom is going to huge next year. And the year after. And the year after.

Because just like Bob, Harmony knew there's a way...there's always a way.

In the Book of Matthew, Jesus says, "Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you."

Faith of a mustard seed. Because the mustard seed always finds a way. It grows beyond its shell. It moves up towards the daylight at all costs. And it flourishes, which moves mountains. Like getting past a lack of education. A lack of experience. It moves the mountain of putting on a prom for 800 guests and 1,000 volunteers for less than $5000. It grows friendships between people that, for no reason aside from God, make any sense.

I know you have your own mountains. That weight you really want to lose. That dead end job that sucks your soul dry. Rebuilding your 401(k) plan. Trying to find a "Plan B" for any hope of retiring. Building your own business while struggling to pay the bills every month. Trust me, I get it. And I know a Sunday School verse of "have faith like a mustard see and everything will be ok" isn't going to cut it.

That's why I won't say it. What I will say is study the mustard seed a bit. It doesn't grow in the spring, no, but in the bleakness of winter. And it doesn't grow alone, it overtakes entire fields in the gray days of the year until, seemingly overnight, the whole area is a screaming, molten yellow color making a striking contrast against the nearby dormant trees and vegatation.

Is this winter for you? If so, don't remain dormant and gray. "Have faith" says Jesus. Then pry, push and grunt your guts out on way to the surface. Lock arms with others who will help you get beyond your shell. To lose the weight. To get beyond the dead-end job. The dead-end faith. The dead-end relationships. The dead-end aspects of your life.

Because Bob and Harmony have done it, and with God's help, you can do it too. But first you need to change your perspective on yourself and, more importantly, Who's child you are. Get a God-induced reality check. And see things from a Jesus-focused pair of glasses. Then you pry, push and grunt your way to the top.

And that's when you can finally look down and see you didn't just move that mountain, you're now standing on top of it.

Kristen

2008-10-16T10:40:00.000-07:00

Last week, I shared stories about a couple of my friends, Davis and Jerry, who have disabilities. And your responses were many and heartfelt. So I wanted to continue on that path a bit more this week, but wasn't sure how. So to kill some time - ok, "stall" - I checked my Yahoo! email (aka - my junk email box) and there it was, a story that fits perfectly into last week's "60". Here's the link:

Pretty cool, huh?

And the most amazing part to me is, these are high school kids voting her as their Queen. They all banded together and saw through Kristin's "imperfections" to vote her in. Would your high school peers done that? Mine wouldn't. Heck, I thought this stuff only happened in Disney movies. But maybe today's kids see deeper than we think they do. At least they do in Texas.

John 13: 34-35 says, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

And I think the kids at Aledo High are doing just that, showing their community, their state and their nation what love can do - crown a queen. Not in pity or as a feel good project, no. It's because they see, sure she has disabilities, but that she doesn't let them debilitate her. That's more than a queen, that's a champion.

So I'm going to keep the writing section of this "60" short so you can spend time watching the video, learning about Kristin and the kids at Aledo High. And I hope and pray that you've identified a "wheelchair" or disability in your own spirtitual, emotional or financial life and are working with God to become your own champion. It will take work. It will take time. But, oh my, is it worth it. To get past the lies, the scars on your heart, the weight of mocking shame and to be set free, trust me, it's worth it. More importanly, trust Him, he won't let you down.

As Kristen's friend said about her, "She's always up for anything". I hope you are too, in Christ.

Wheelchairs

2008-10-16T10:38:00.000-07:00

I wanted you to meet someone today, my friend, Davis. Davis is the son of a dear college friend of mine and lives in one of my favorite cities, Fort Worth, Texas. Davis is a curious, spunky little boy with lots of energy, lots of love and a bright outlook on life.

He also has Down Syndrome.

Now, another friend, Jerry, some of you know Jerry. Jerry goes to The Vineyard and has his own challenges. Because of a mental disability, he can't drive a car so he has to walk wherever he goes. And this is what I love about Jerry, he has a job that he takes great pride in - busing tables at the nearby Chick-Fil-A. I know he's got his eye on running the cash register one day, but right now every table is clean, the bathrooms are surgery-room spotless and he'll get you a refill and hand it back to you with a sincere, "Here you go, my pleasure".

And tonight, yes tonight, there's an adult "Prom", a gala if you will, taking place where adults with mental and physical obstacles get to experience something most of us take for granted - being invited and accepted at a party. Dresses, tuxedos, limo service, food, prizes, even the red carpet have been donated and well over 500 area special needs adults will be dolled up and dapper later on tonight. Many who have spent their life as an outcast will not only be accepted and cheered, but also be crowned "Prom Queen" or "Prom King" at the end of the night (but don't tell them, ok? That's a surprise).

So in this "60", I wanted to address our own handicaps and obstacles. Short comings. The "hand we're dealt". Our issues. Whatever you want to call them, this is more than just "junk in the trunk", a bad habit or foolish behavior, I'm talking about the hard stuff. The stuff you seem wired to do and wish you wouldn't, or act out but wish you could quit. For some it's alcohol. For others it's porn. Still others struggle with an ingrained feeling of shame and failure. While for some it's an endless quest of approval.

Should I name more? Ok, I will. Let me start with my handicaps (but, please, feel free to list your own). I'm a control freak. I don't trust others. I assume the whole world works off "performance-based love". I believe if there's tension in my family or circle of friends, that I'm to blame, I did something wrong, and then, I need to fix it. Oh, and I think when things are going well in my life, just wait, because the rug is going to pulled out from underneath me soon.

Yes, that was hard to admit. But I told you when I started these "60"s, I was going to be transparent, honest and open in the hopes that you would be too, both with yourself and God. So you could cleanse your soul a little. Open up the hidden areas and ask Our Father to help you deal with them and shine His light on them.

Davis has his handicap. Jerry has his obstacles. The kings and queens of "The Prom" tonight have their challenges. But here's the deal, they're not letting them dictate their life. And neither should we. We all have our emotional, spiritual and mental wheelchairs. We can't seem to forgive the person who hurt us so many years ago. We can't seem to see ourselves as beloved creations of God and try and try and try to be perfect, yet we fail. We don't let others in because of the off chance of getting hurt is too painful to bear once more. And we're so afraid of failing we don't even try.

So we sit in our "wheelchair" and watch the world go by wishing we could be a part of it.

Below is a link to all the miracles Jesus performed that are listed in the Bible, click on it and read through the list, let it all soak in a bit:
http://www.allaboutjesuschrist.org/miracles-of-jesus-2.htm

Now, what I want you to see is, yes, He performed many miracles (and more than likely more than we know). But I want you to see exactly which miracles he performed. Let's look through the list at the actions of just some of His miracles: healing, delivering, cleansing, raising, feeding, and calming just to name a few. Could you use a little of that in your life?

See, Jesus got people out of their spriitual, emotional, mental and physical wheelchairs. He took their crutches and tossed them aside. He awakened the dead. Gave sight to the blind. Cast out demons and said, "Be free". He looked prostitutes and theives in the eye and said, "I love you, do this no more". He came. He loved. He conquered. And told them all to leave their "wheelchair" and walk. With Him. In His footsteps. So we all could be free.

And He's not done. Not with you. Not with me.

So here's my prayer for you this week. I pray you identify a "wheelchair" in your life, whether it's spiritual, mental, emotional, financial, whatever and start working with God to overcome them. No need to be embarrassed. There are many fine sources of counseling, prayer, safe support groups, books, websites and dear friends that you can trust to say, "This is my wheelchair...I'd like to get rid of it."

Because Davis could be on the sidelines, instead he's on the field. Jerry could be holed up in an apartment feeling sorry for himself, instead he's out serving others. And the queens and kings of tonight's prom could stay home and watch reruns on television. Instead, their opting in and having the time of their life. I want nothing less than the same for you. So "rise and walk", get out of yur wheelchair, work through your handicaps and cling tight to Jesus - He won't let you fall.

Gene

2008-10-16T10:36:00.000-07:00

My dad has a wonderful cousin in Chicago named Bret. Bret is a music teacher, a wonderful singer who, in fact, has sung The National Anthem for the Chicago White Sox and other professional teams. He's probably the most kind-hearted, easy going, giving person I've ever met who, I swear, inherited that "heart" from my great grandmother, Emma. His sincere kindness and warmth is only surpassed by his wife, Sue and together they are just incredible to be around. To paint a picture here, Bret and Sue are the people my whole family knows we don't get to see enough, don't get to be around enough and can't say enough nice things about.

This week Bret and Sue lost their only son, Gene, in a car accident.

Gene was a young guy in his early 20s, and was working a construction job, felt ill and drove home. On his way home, he passed out and drove his car off the road and died instantly. So our family is in a bit of shock and it's times like these that it's beyond words and action to imagine what they are going through. What Gene's grandma is going through. A parent burying a child is bad enough, a grandparent having to bury a grandchild? That's wrenching.

So I'm led to "Why?". I know the Sunday School answer is "God has a plan". Trust me, I've heard it. Many times. Last week I asked you to pray for Gabby in Mexico. To let her know "Daddy's got a plan". But still, Gene? Why? Gene was Bret and Sue's only son. Their daughter, Rachel, only had one brother. One sibling. Maggie had one grandson. And now he's gone. Why? No holiday, no birthday, no day will be the same for them moving forward. Wounds heal in time, but this goes way beyond a wound, this is true "loss".

Yesterday and a large part of this morning I wondered "why?" about Gene. Why it happened to him. Why it happened to Bret and Sue's son. Why it happened to Maggie's only grandson. And it was tough. And it will be for a while.

But here's what I know, God can take it. He can take your hard questions. Your anger. Your resentment. Your fear. You lashing out and demanding "Why?" He can take it when you can't. He knows you better than you know yourself. Psalm 139:23 says, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts". Let Him in. Ask for help in the tough times.

Psalm 22:2 reads, "O my God, I cry by day, but You do not answer; And by night, but I have no rest." Ever been there? Ever been that honest with God that you declare He's not answering you? That you have no peace and it's His fault? Test Him. Try Him. Call Him out. He's more than ok with that.

Later on in Psalm 61:1, like a final plea, David says, "Hear my cry, O God; attend to my prayer." Ever said anything that bold to God? Get that messy? It's not easy. It's not for the meek. It's not for those who smooth everything over with the chipper milquetoast mantra, "God's got a plan!"

In short, I don't know why Gene died. I don't need to know. That's for God and Bret and Sue and Rachel to work on through these tough days ahead and for the healing salve of Christ in the future. I don't know why you've been "messed over" in life. Why you've been hurt. Why you've been let down. Why you seem to get tested day in and day out only to be tested once again.

But God does.

And He wants a relationship with you. A real, honest, soul-bearing, "As I am Lord" relationship. And like all relationships, it's going to take work. There needs to be honest dialogue. There needs to be trust. There will be good times, there will be bad. Trials. Heartaches. Rough periods where you want to quit, and then times when it seems the world is yours. So get to know Him. Spend time with Him. Ask the hard questions. Don't make your relationship with God a hobby, make it your passion. Be brutally honest and open with God for one month and see what happens. Old wounds are healed. Mistakes are forgiven. Debts are canceled. Eyes are opened to something strangely new yet familiar at the same time.

Go for it.

Here's what else I know. That twenty-something kid, my cousin Gene, is a hero to twelve complete strangers and their families as his organs and corneas were able to be harvested. He instantly changed twelve people's lives forever. Forever. These people who were on waiting lists for months, maybe years, went from living by the second to a second chance to live because of Gene. And because of God.

Maybe you need your own second chance with God. So go...get honest with Him. Deepen your relationship with Him. Take a chance on him. Start by reading the Book of Psalms. And then write - and live - your own conversations with God.

Merging

2008-10-16T10:34:00.000-07:00

She wouldn't let me merge. The lady in the minivan.

I thought she had just a few seconds ago. I was in the right lane that ended and everyone on the left was letting others in. I assumed I was next and started to merge over. All was well until she shot up beside me and made it clear she wasn't going to let me in. No way. No how. She had it out for me.

And now, I was mad. What did I do to her? Why was she being such a jerk?

Sad thing was, I sort of felt like I'd been sucker punched by a total stranger. You've been there too, I'm sure. Someone takes the parking spot you'd been waiting on. The cashier gives you attitude when all you're trying to be is nice. A saga with Customer Service. You get the idea.

And those instances with strangers come and go, darken our day a bit and then we move on. But it got me to thinking, "Who was the last person I sucker punched?" A friend? Someone in my family? A customer service rep in India?

Sadly, we all do it. Not a physical cheap shot, but through words. Through actions. Most often to the people we love the most. I get tired. I get cranky. I get to a point where I don't want to be around people for an hour or so. And when I've had enough, I sometimes sucker punch the very people I claim to love the most. I do it through a smarmy remark or a biting comment. That's me. I'm sure you have your own style.

What do you say we both agree to work to get rid of that, ok? Because it hurts.

In The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant (Matthew 18:21-35), we're told of a master who had mercy on a debt of a servant, but that servant had no mercy on someone who owed him. And the master was not happy about this double standard. Jesus ends the parable saying, "This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart."

Let me throw this at you, Newton's Law of Motion says, "Every action has an equal and opposite reaction." I'm not sure if Newton was a Christian, but when it comes to how we fall and fail, this sounds a lot like Christ's love to me. We mess up, he cleans us up. We have words of anger, he soothes us with words of forgiveness. Newton's law from a Christian perspective. Not bad for a Tuesday.

So back to my minivan lady, the next stoplight turned green and she was too busy messing with her radio or something in her purse and didn't notice it. Tick. Tick. Tick. Light's still green and she's not paying attention. That's when I reached back and I was ready to retaliate via my truck horn. And man, I was going to let it wail. Cut me off. Treat me bad. Give me attitude. Now who's in charge, lady?

And then I saw it. The cross ring I wear on my thumb. The one that reminds me who's really in charge. The one that puts me in my place. Trust me, I wanted for all the world to give her just a teenie, weenie "courtesy" honk, but I couldn't. "Every action has an equal and opposite reaction" in Christ in all. In other words, "give her a free pass".

A few blocks later she turned off and I prayed for her. For her day. For her "issues", and I meant it. And it felt right.

So, my prayer for you this week is that you don't let cheap anger lead the way to a biting comment or something that drives a wedge into a relationship. Because that's not Christ. At all. Do the opposite. Take the cheap shot, pray about it. Talk to the person if you can and see what's really going on. Love them as Christ loves you. Sure it can be tough and rocky waters to navigate, but that's why I wear a thumb ring- just to let me know who's really in charge.

Daily Bread

2008-10-16T10:31:00.000-07:00

"Give us this day our daily bread..."

I've recited that line of The Lord's Prayer countless times, mostly in unison with a congregation or even in a small gathering of other Christians. And most the time I just mutter through it, parroting the line and focus more on whether we'll say "debts" or "trespasses" in the forthcoming line. Shallow praying, I know. And I hate it.

But "Give us this day our daily bread" really meant something to me this week. You too, I'm sure.

In my case it was "Give us this day a tank of gas", "Give us this day a cell phone charge" and "Give us this day a warm shower".

I'm not trying to make light of The Lord's Prayer or put any humor in this thought, it's simply finding an open gas station when my tank was hugging "E" while traveling back to Cincinnati early Monday morning was a time of outright trust in God. Finding not one, but two power converters for my truck to create my own rolling command center was like finding a Christmas present with my name on it. And having my friends insist I stay with them while my power is out is nothing less than an oasis.

But being thankful for help with the small things, the daily things, is hard for us. As people. As Americans. Even as Christians. Because we idolize the people who are self-made successes, shy away from labels like "support group" and even have a hard time when a store clerk asks, "Can I help you?" ("No...no I'm just looking."). Admit it, you probably hate having to ask for help. From a friend. From a stranger. From God.

But a storm that led to a week with no power, meant blocked roads and countless closed stores shakes up our routine, displaces our little world and shows you that, try as you might, you're not walking solo on this journey. We all need God. We all need others. And that can be scary. An inconvenience. At times, it can even be a let down. But it can also be a blessing. A growth experience. And a healing experience like no other.

"Give us this day our daily bread..."

That's faith and trust in something other than myself. Something I need to work on.

I just had my morning coffee and truly, honestly thanked God for it today. Probably for the first time ever. "Thanks for taking care of me, God. Thanks for putting the people in my life who I can ask for help and they can ask the same from me. Thank you for all you do for all of us, big and small, to show us how much You care for us and protect us. Thank you for my daily bread."

So now what? Do we just let this week go and "get back to normal". In a way, I hope so. In another, I hope not. Because the next time I recite The Lord's Prayer I'll be more focused and heart-felt when I say, "Give us this day our daily bread..." and not worry as much about the whole debts/trespasses coin toss. After all, God will take care of that, like He does with all things.

That's faith and trust in something other than myself. Something I am working on.

Oil Change

2008-10-16T10:26:00.000-07:00

So I got to spend the long weekend in the U.P. of Michigan, a half hour away from the Canadian border. With the picturesque views, the impossibly fresh air, the "clear for days" skies and the warm, open people that live there, I was excited how God would turn that experience into a "60".

Instead He used an oil change. Yeah, at first I was a little disappointed too.

But this isn't about an oil change as much as Him changing me a bit. See, I needed a drop cloth or shower curtain. Got that? Drop cloth or shower curtain, walking into Wal-Mart, I knew that much. Why? To catch any oil drips that came from me changing my oil filter.

So I was in Aisles 6, 7, 8 and part of 9 looking for a cheap shower curtain or drop cloth. And kept looking. And looking. No luck. Of course, on a Labor Day holiday, the Wal-Mart was running on a skeleton crew anyway, so I kept trolling the aisles and was getting more and more frustrated. Quick side note, I worked at Wal-Mart for six years through high school and college, so I should know generally where to find stuff, right? But it just seemed like, really felt like, I wasn't supposed to find a plastic drop cloth or shower curtain. I didn't know why, didn't get it. But here I was in the shower curtain aisle, and they didn't have anything. Something was off.

That's when I got frustrated. And God told me to "turn around...look down".

I did.

God had shown me a row of paint roller trays. The idea was simple, instead of using a bulky cloth that would wrinkle up (and let the oil run down the crinkled channels), just use the paint roller tray to actually catch the oil, contain it. Very nice. Line it with a plastic bag and it'd be super easy to clean up. Huh...

So I was standing there, right in the middle of paint aisle of a Wal-Mart, and I closed my eyes and said, "Thanks for the lesson God...I get it." It wasn't about changing an oil filter, it wasn't about whether to use a drop cloth, or a paint roller pan or anything else. It was about me being open to Him, for me to trust Him. In all things, big and small. New and ordinary. Ok, I get it. Thanks.

Proverbs declares, "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Makes it pretty clear, huh?

And after my experience trying to track down a phantom drop cloth, I really think God wants us to acknowledge him, even in our everyday things. Say, "Show me" and then to trust Him. It may sound corny or silly to ask God, "Where should I eat lunch today?" or "Should I get gas there?" or "Show me Your solution - drop cloth or shower curtain" because it feels like we're using God as a Magic Eight Ball, and that's not what He's about. He's sovereign. He's perfect in all His ways.

And the whole theme of the Bible is He wants a relationship with you. As a Father loves his child. And we need to trust Him, prepare for those lessons where we're standing in the paint aisle of a Wal-Mart, standing behind the high-maintenance lady at the grocery store or wondering, "What do I do with this mess in my life, Lord?" and hear His answers, His insight, His instruction. And trust me, most the time it's different from our assumptions and perspectives. Which is why we need His guidance.

Just be ready. Be open. Be listening. Be praying...hard. Mean it. Because more than likely he'll spin you around a bit and show you something exciting and "right" that you never would have figured out on your own. Even something as mundane as an oil filter change.

Fran and Janet

2008-10-16T10:24:00.000-07:00

Funny how things come full circle sometime.

One of the first (and most popular) "60"s I wrote was how people tend to paint Peter as a goat because he lost faith while walking on the water and began to sink. Now, my personal view is that Peter should be counted as a hero for at least getting out of the boat in the first place. Taking a chance on Christ. Not staying in the safe, and throwing a leg over in faith - white knuckle faith at that.

And this weekend I wanted to point out two people who are "getting out of the boat" - Fran and Janet. Fran and Janet have been an instrumental part of the Hispanic LA La Viña Outreach since its inception. Every week there they are, with diapers, bubbles, toys and hugs for every single person we serve. When Doug and I started the outreach we had hard time because here we are, two white guys who speak no Spanish, looking for all the world like Border Patrol cops and we needed a way to soften the experience. Fran and Janet do just that.

Now this weekend, with Doug and I being in the U.P., they are going to lead LA La Viña and I know they'll do a great job. Because they're not doing it for themselves. Or to impress others. Or to score some points with God. No, they're doing it because it's work that needs to be done in the name of Christ. Must be done. Because our amigos at the Willows look forward to us showing up, checking in on them, offering them prayer and, yes Fran, especially offering a smile and a hug. For them, it's proof of the power and grace of Christ.

Philippians tells us, "I can do all things through Him whostrengthens me. Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction". Most of us know the first verse (13), but don't know the next (verse 14). "Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction."

How's that for some roll-up-your-sleeves, lift 'em up from the depth inspiration? See, we need to reach out to people – all people – in their trouble, in their pain, in their darkness, in their silent agony. Christian and non-Christian alike. As our teaching pastor Joe Boyd says, "We need to walk through the gates of hell and walk people out...to Christ". I can't say it any better than that.

So please pray for Fran and Janet. That they are inspired through Christ and He shows then something new in Him. 'Cause that's what happens when you get out of the boat and take a chance on God - He comes through. Read that last part again. He comes through. And my challenge is if you've been getting a nudge to get out of the boat, throw a leg over and plant your foot solidly on the water in the name of Christ. It's scary. It's weird. It's the best chance you'll ever take.

Have a great week! Now go do something scary for Christ.

Gunk

2008-10-16T10:21:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday I was washing Mindy's car. See, she and Doug (and Lauren) were in Michigan and I was house sitting for them. The morning before, I'd gone out to start up my truck and discovered I had a dead battery.

So Mindy graciously let me borrow her Durango, complete with a Hemi Magnum engine, moonroof and XM satellite radio. Yeah, I was livin' the high life. As I was running some errands, I noticed her car needed to be washed. Ok, really needed to be washed. And my first reaction was to run it through one of the automatic car washes. Save time. Save some hassle. Spend a few bucks and it'll do a decent job.

But then I felt one of the lessons of my Dad ringing in my head.

See, growing up I knew on Saturday morning I'd wake up and hear two things – the tinny echo of music on an outdoor radio and the splashing of a water hose. Because every Saturday my dad was in our driveway washing his van, my mom's car, my sister's Mustang and, in later years, my Mustang as well. That was his therapy, his time to relax and then, when he was done drying them, relish how nice our vehicles looked. He wanted our cars, and by extension us, looking "showroom new".

So the "Dad in me" urged me to take the time and "do it right". Wash it by hand, really scrub off the bug residue and the grime. Pick off the tar with your fingernails and, whatever the heck that gunk is on the back bumper, find a way to get that crap off too. And that's what I did for the next two hours. Go over her Durango from top to bottom, bumper to bumper and get it as humanly clean as I could. Not for bonus points from her or Doug, but because Mindy deserves a clean vehicle, as clean as I can get it – just because she's Mindy.

Now, I bring this up because sometimes I think a lot of us tend to want to hit the "five dollar car wash" in our walk with Christ. We'll give him five minutes here, or if we've got enough time, fifteen or twenty. Go to church. Do an Outreach. Help a stranger out when we can. And all that's terrific. But how many times in the past six months have you – have I – said, "Ok God, I've got some pretty grimy stuff to deal with and I'm willing to roll up my sleeves and work with You so this junk - these hurts, these disappointments, this fear - I want whatever that gunk is on my soul to be gone...done...no more...You and me, just tell me what I need to do. I'm here, I'm open, and I trust you."

Honestly, for me it's been years. So yeah, I'm gonna skip the automated "wash" and head straight into some honest scrub time with Christ her this weekend.

And that's what I want you to consider as well. Take some deep, soul searching time with God, roll up your sleeves and work with Him on some stuff. Start small at first. Grab a Bible study or book by a Christian author to aid your journey. Journal. Get gutsy and tell a friend, "Hey, pray for me about _________." Find a mentor who's been through what you're experiencing and ask them for advice. Whatever it takes, whatever the route, do it. Find it. Go. Because I don't want you spending one more day with "gunk on your soul". Not another second, it's not worth it. So take a deep breath, roll up your sleeves, know Christ is willing to work with you and fight for you to set you free from your burdens. Always.

All He needs is some time and your effort and He'll make you new – showroom new – again.

What I Learned at Taco Bell

2008-10-16T10:17:00.000-07:00

So I'm house sitting for some dear friends for the next few days...ok, dog sitting actually. "Irish setter sitting" if you want to be exact. Strange thing is, on my way to their house to keep Maggie company, I had this craving for Taco Bell.

(I never knew people could crave Taco Bell, either.)

So I'm hoping for just something in the realm of a "decent Taco Bell experience" and, at first, all is going well. The line was short. They didn't mess up my order and when she handed me my small drink cup I thought I was home free.

And there I spotted it, the tea dispenser.

Iced tea in a Taco Bell? Awesome. Because Pepsi is not the choice of my generation as far as I'm concerned. So I walked over to the 5-gallon stainless steel fountain of Tetley, pulled the dispenser and a few drops of tea seeped out. Ah, you gotta be kidding me. I'll just inform the people at the counter that the tea container is empty and everything will be ok.

Now, catch this...when I told the lady behind the counter about the tea being empty, honest to goodness, this is what she said, "Oh, we keep it empty. No one drinks the tea, so we never fill it. We keep it all behind the counter."

Whah? Huh? Wait a second, "Yeah, we've got tea...heck, we even put out a 5-gallon tea dispenser out there to show people we have tea, but it's empty. It's all right here behind the counter."

Words I could utter around a child escaped me at that point, although the term "height of stupidity" crept in. And as I was rebuking the masterminds at Taco Bell for this little piece of brilliance (in my head) I said to myself, "Why have it out there if no one is using it?"

Right then, I felt God saying, "You mean like you do with your Bible?"

Wow. I felt crushed and embarrassed all in the same moment. Like I had pulled back a giant rubber band of judgement at these people and it ended up snapping me in the mouth instead.

Suddenly, I was in the same class of "mastermind" as the people at Taco Bell. Talk about humiliating. And this is from a guy who in high school carried one of those little Gideon pocket-sized Bibles with him in his back pocket. At first, people thought it was a little odd, but within a couple months 4-5 other people started doing the same thing. And then people started coming to us for advice, talk about what was on their mind. Cool stuff.

Yet now my Bible just sits there waiting for the weekend to be used. But not anymore.

So here's my challenge to myself and you as well. If you don't have one, grab a small travel size New Testiment and carry it with you. Put it in your satchel, your Coke holder, your cargo shorts side pocket, whatever. And when you're standing in line at the grocery store, at an appointment or waiting for friends to join you at a restaurant, read it. Put a small pencil with it so you can make notes in it too. Underline passages that really inspire you. Read it. Know it. And see what happens. To you and to those around you.

Because, just like the tea dispenser, the Bible won't do much good just sitting there. It needs to be used, to quench your thirst with something far better than iced tea - with the living word of Christ.

My Friend, Jim

2008-10-16T10:12:00.000-07:00

Instead of doing a normal "60" this week, I've been asked to write the devotion I gave last weekend before Outreach (some people weren't there, some people missed it). So here it is.

>>>>>>>

I'm here with a heavy heart today. You see, this week a good friend of mine died. Notice I didn't say "passed away". I said "died". He was 45 years old, went on vacation, came back feeling ill and went to see the doctor. The next day, he was dead.

His name was Jim Campbell, the house manager at Playhouse in the Park. Over the past six years of being a volunteer usher at Playhouse, Jim taught me a lot about how great live theater is. How it's always a one take show. That there are always problems but you must never let the audience know. And, most importantly, great theater can happen anywhere, even in Cincinnati. Because of Jim and other Playhouse staff, our Cincinnati Playhouse has not one, but two, Tony Awards for "Best Regional Theater". It also is the launching pad for shows before they hit Broadway (side note - the play "Company" tested here in Cincinnati before going to New York and winning rave reviews, audiences and, yes, a Tony Award.)

But now Jim gone.

Now, if you were to ask me about his relationship with Christ, I'd have to say "I'm not sure". Pressed further, I'd have a pretty good guess, and it's not the one we'd hope for. I hear televangelists declare, "You gotta tell 'em 'bout Jesus! You gotta tell 'em 'bout Jesus!" But from where I'm standing, you've got to show 'em 'bout Jesus first. Show them love. Show them kindness. Show them grace. Forgiveness. Joy. Show them first. Tell them second.

And that's the great thing about Outreach. It's not a sandwich and a "Hang in there, buddy!" to people in Washington Park. It's not a bag of beans and rice to someone at the Willows. Or a free can of Coke. Or a free lunch from Taco Bell. And it's not talking down to people about Christ.

It's reaching down in the name of Christ to help people out of that ditch of a life they're in. With grace. Love. And mercy.

So put on the dusty sandals of Christ this week and be a listening ear. Be someone people can confide in. Be that person God made you to show people what life in Him looks like. Because you just might be the person who changes someone's eternity. And that, I think, is the best live theatre of all.

Loving Your Neighbor...Even the Annoying One

2008-10-16T10:05:00.000-07:00

One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?" "The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." (NIV, Mark 12:28-31).

This includes the annoying, high-maintenance lady standing in front of you in the checkout lane at Bigg's.

See, she needed – no, had to have – a certain Indian noodle for a dinner she's making tonight. And in Broadway high-drama told the cashier she'd "looked high and low, scoured the entire international section" and couldn't find it (oh, dear!). To be honest, her nervous gestures reminded me of a bobble head doll sitting on an unbalanced washing machine. Annoying. Really annoying.

An associate in International Foods was called in to help. Then someone in the bakery section. Then the manager.

Then my patience.

There we sat as store employee after store employee called or walked up to hear her plight.

"Geez, lady they're noodles. Just grab some angel hair pasta and call it a day," I muttered to myself.

We've all been behind people like this. At the grocery store. Grabbing a bite to eat at a fast food place. At the Post Office. And truth be known, I wasn't in a big rush, but come on. There is a flow to these things, an unspoken time limit each of us have as the "Now Being Served" person. And this lady was way over her time limit.

As I was about to move to another line, grumbling something about a "Hyde Park housewife...got nothing better to do with her time", God stepped in. Amidst this chaos, God waltzed in and gave me two words, "Help her."

What? Help her...how? I don't know anything about noodles, plus she's getting on my nerves. (pause, pause, pause) "Oh, ok...I'll help. Show me how."

By this time, the lady said she had to go, other errands to run and all, and was bagging her $190.00 worth of groceries. When my order was complete, I stood there bagging my own groceries alongside her. And like a kid not wanting to say, "I'm sorry", I muttered, "Go to Fresh Market...they'll have your noodles."

She was taken aback at first. And then her panic turned to a smile. "What?" she asked cautiously.

So I told her some specialty places to go find the right noodle as well as a couple Indian restaurants that could help her out. And as a bonus told her to check out Jungle Jim's. Her smile turned into a look of shock and she said, "Oh my gosh, thank you so much...I would have never thought of that. Thank you, you just made my day. Thanks again!"

Suddenly she wasn't so annoying anymore. She was a real person with real problems, disappointments and struggles and all she needed was a break. And I'm glad God told me to stick around and help, because I learned a big lesson about the importance of grace.

So my prayer for you this week is that you cut the guy in traffic some slack. You don't sweat the annoying coworker. And you smile when God puts you in an annoying situation, to show you a way to "love your neighbor" in it all.

Because He loves us 24/7. Even when we're the high-maintenance, annoying people in the checkout line.

Imperfect Perfection

2008-10-16T10:00:00.000-07:00

Some friends of mine live on a horse farm with sprawling hills, scenic views and lush pastures. This of course translates into two words – "yard work". And growing up around my grandparents' farm, I'm all too happy to help trim, weed, cut, mow, mulch, clean, rake, shovel, tote, haul, spread....well, you get the idea.

Last weekend was no different. I push mowed the horse ring 'til it resembled the Number Nine green at St. Andrews' and conquered the uneven topography of the southern portion around the horse barn. Two sweat-soaked t-shirts later, I knew I'd given it a good effort. And for a Southern Indiana farm boy, that was a job well done.

On Monday morning I knew I'd get an unnecessary email of thanks for my efforts, because I enjoy helping them and it frees up time for them too do what they love, not mow step hills and battle weedy walks.

And sure enough, the email of thanks came, but at the bottom in capital letters it said, "WE APPRECIATE YOUR WORK….. BUT YOU NEED NOT DO THE WORK….. TAKE SOME TIME OFF…… WE ENJOY YOUR COMPANY AND WOULD LOVE TO SEE YOU JUST ENJOYING THE LAZINESS OF SUMMER….."

Wow, that was hard for me.

Me. Be "lazy"?

Do nothing?

See, I – just like a lot of you – am about a "job well done". I grew up in a family where sometimes, especially with my mom, it sometimes seemed like a "performance-based relationship". Do a good job on this or that and you'll be loved. Don't do a good job and you won't.

Been there too, huh?

Lemme ask you something, are you still there? With your boss? Your customers? Your spouse? Your parents? Friends?

Yeah, it's a tough standard to live up to, "perfect". Being the "perfect" wife. Pleasing your boss 100% of the time. Being "pleasing" to others. Making sure you live up to your family name and "do it proud".

Because trying to be perfect all the time will wreck you. Burn you out. Bring you down. You simply can't sustain it. You're going to say the wrong thing to your boss. Or not have that "sage advice" for a friend. Or disappoint your kids from time to time no matter how hard you try. You're going to stumble, sometimes even fall on your walk through life.

And that's ok.

A passage I've heard my friend Sean Micheal Murphy use many, many times is Romans 6:23: "The wages of sin[what we earn] is death, the free gift of God [what we do not earn] is eternal life."

Which of course means no matter how hard we try, we always fall short. We're just human – with real human struggles and emotions and setbacks and disappointments.

"The free gift of God is eternal life".

Free gift. From God. Telling you, "No matter who you are, where you are, what you are, I love you. I LOVE YOU. You don't need to work for this one, I enjoy you and want to spend forever with you."

Read that again. Say it out loud to yourself. Go ahead, we all need to hear it.

Feels pretty good, doesn't it?

So this week, I challenge you to put the "to do" list in a drawer. Shut off the mower. Set the TPS reports aside and spend some earnest quality time with God, enjoying the warmth of His promise and his Gift. It may be hard at first, but make your "job" enjoying that fact.

I promise it'll be the most important thing you get done all week.

SOS

2008-10-16T09:56:00.000-07:00

Last week at VCC was "SOS - Summer of Service" where over 800 high school kids from 10 different states came to Cincinnati to learn how to serve others in the name of Christ. Think about that. 5 days, 800 kids with open hearts going out and just serving others to let people know God loves them.

I think the final tally was over 60,0000 people were served in those 5 days. But my mind has been on just one.

I don't know her name, I'll probably never see her again, but as I was standing with a group of SOS kids handing out water at an intersection and this girl, who I've dubbed "Juliette" (because she resembled Juliette Lewis a bit) walked by us and I asked her if she'd like some free water, no strings attached. This girl, probably 15-16 years old was a bombshell, very attractive, the kind of girl that made some guys walking into a nearby UDF stop and do a "double take".

She asked me what we were doing and why and I just told her, "We just wanted to show you God loves you in a practical way." She responded "Really?" And I was expecting her to say, "That's really nice" or "Which church are you from?", but instead she responded, "Really? God loves me? Seriously?"

I was stunned. Shocked. In eight years of Outreach I'd never heard anyone say that. So I just said, "Absolutely...always." And she smiled and said, "That's cool...thanks!"

And then she walked away. Smiling.

I'm scared for Juliette (or whatever her name is) because I know that she could go several ways in life and I really want her to end up with Christ. But chances are good she won't. So here's what I've been doing, I've been praying and I'll continue to pray like crazy for "Juliette". I've done it all week and it's been a great learning exercise. Because a lot of times we "pray" and it's only in the emergency times of life that we really cut through the fluff and say, "Hey God, I really, really need You...please!"

Like when the test results come back and the doctor says you need to "come in and discuss the options". Or when you're not sure how next month's bills will get paid. Or when my step-brother Ryan was serving in Iraq, my step-mom Ginny was praying like a warrior everyday for him and his unit until he came back (and he is back safe and sound).

That's honest, soul cleansing, no facade prayer...and I truly believe God honors that and teaches us through that gut-level style of praying.

So, some of us are better at prayer than others, and that's ok. Myself, I'm not so great at it, so here's what I'm doing and suggest to you as well. First, read Psalms.

Really read Psalms.

You want to hear prayers of praise, prayers of desperation, prayers that are soul deep? Read Psalms. Just pick some and read them out loud and hear the honesty and the power in them. And secondly, pick something that you want to audaciously, passionately and feverishly want to pray for. Write it down...pray it out loud...email it to a friend...whatever. Just be bold in prayer for a week.

For some of you, this will be easy, for others it will be a real step of faith. But I believe God not only answers prayers, but teaches us through prayer when we're honest, open and focused on His word and His ways.

Because I want God to come down on "Juliette" like a Texas flood, just pound on her heart with His thundering heart to show her His love, grace and mercy and spin her world 180° so she can see what she's worth to Him, rein down on her with His kindness and let her see Him work in her life.

And I want the same for you, too.

The Lost and Found

2008-10-16T09:52:00.000-07:00

I was headed to a Bassmaster Tourney on Friday being held in Gilbertsville, Kentucky. Trouble was, the sign I just drove by said, "Welcome to Tennessee".

Uh-oh....I was lost.

This is not a new occurrence for me. I get lost driving around town, much less in a rural portion of Kentucky.

The interesting thing about being lost is you find out some things about yourself. Especially when you're alone. There's just that unfiltered reaction of knowing you're miles away from where you want to be. Do you get mad? Do you figure the directions are wrong? Or do you determine the fine people in the Commonwealth State could pony up some money for a couple more road signs?

Me? I just sat there trying to figure out how in the world I could get lost with not one, but two, maps right there in front of me. Then I started thinking about my dad, he wouldn't have gotten lost. Or my friend Doug with his GPS device, he would have been pulling into the tournament right now. Same with my brother-in-law, he never gets lost.

So I decided to do something radical in a situation like this – I prayed. Just that God would help me learn something out of this as I backtracked 40 some-odd miles down the road. Just anything, God, please. And maybe some cheap gas, too.

And God gave me a thought, "Quit focusing on where you are instead of where you're not". At first I just kind of dismissed it as quasi-Kung Fu philosophy, like some David Carradine-esque wisdom (grasshopper). But as I thought about it, it started hitting me harder and harder. Yeah, I was looking at the big star inked next to Kentucky Dam Village on the map and was irritated I wasn't there instead of focusing on where I was now.

Focus. Adjust. Move on.

And I'm pretty sure a lot of us do that with things in our lives. We look at ourselves and think, "I'm 50 years old...what have I done with my life?", "I've put in 10 years at that company and this is all I'm getting out of it?" or, "Is it ever going to get better?".

But you see, that's the great thing about Christ. He's not concerned about where you're not, who you're not or how you're not. He'll take you right where you are, who you are and how you are. And it doesn't matter if you've been a Christian for a day or a lifetime, He will always be there to guide you, lead you and love you to where He needs you to go.

Because sometimes you have to be truly lost before you can appreciate the feeling of being found. And a gas station selling $3.83 a gallon gas.

A deeper conversation

2008-10-16T09:48:00.000-07:00

As I start this one, I've got no real idea what I'm going to say.

Because that's life. It's easy to write and re-write emails to perfection. In fact, these 60 Second Bible Studies take me between 20 and 30 minutes to write before I hit the "send" button. But in life, there isn't a keyboard. Or Google. Or 2-3 Biblical reference guides to help you.

Here's what I'm getting at, my friend Mark went to work on some pottery on Wednesday night at Miami University. When he got to Rowan Hall, there was a young gentleman sitting at the metal smithing station. Mark, being a friendly guy said hello, mentioned what he was doing there and noticed the guy smithing a metal "A". So Mark asked, "Is that for your mom? Girlfriend?"

"No, the 'A' is for 'atheist'", was the reply.

No Google. No Biblical reference guide. What's Dave Workman's phone number again?

So Mark just smiled, muttered out an, "I see...ok" and just kept talking to the guy. Even offered him a ride home as the the rain began to hit Rowan Hall. Later that night Mark called me, told me about his conversation with his new friend, Derrick, and asked me what he should have done.

My guess was (and still is) exactly what he did. Be a friend. Show them kindness in action. A favorite quote of my friend Sean Micheal Murphy is simply, "Proclaim the gospel...if necessary, use words".

I spent the last hour looking up the words "Christ/Witness" and "Atheist/Witness" on Google and I found some strikingly simple results. Tell an atheist they're going to hell and they will more than likely invite you along for the trip. Show an atheist kindness, real genuine kindness, mercy and grace and they'll wonder why. Keep doing it and they'll wonder why they can't do that themselves. That's when the conversations start. Not about high gas prices. Or about the weather.

But real conversations. The deep ones.

And this is where most Christians say they feel the most uncomfortable (I researched that too). So this week, I'd encourage you to think about, maybe even write out your testimony. Just tell it from the heart. If you didn't know Jesus, how would your life be different? Really. Truly.

Because there's an atheist out there crafting a metal "A" out there to wear around his neck. My prayer is that in the near future he can tell people it stands of "Accepted by Christ".

(In the spirit of this message, I didn't edit or rewrite this email. Sometimes you gotta like what you said the first time. Now, go write your testimony.)

Have a great week. Please pray for my friend Bob Fathman's health, for Katie and Clayton's wedding and, of course, Derrick.

Mile Two

2008-10-16T09:44:00.000-07:00

So I ran this morning. I should let you know, I'm not a runner.

I am, however, 34 years old. 220 pounds. I suffer from both asthma and chronic shin splints. God did not make me a runner. Case in point, I once fell off the treadmill at the gym (I was watching SportsCenter and forgot was I was doing).

But there I was. On an access road near the motel I'm staying at in West Memphis, Arkansas telling myself I just need to try and run a mile. Or half a mile. Heck, just get out the Best Western parking lot and turn back in for the free continental breakfast, and that'd be ok.

My shin splints didn't kick in 'til 1/2 mile into the run and my asthma didn't make an appearance until 3/4 of a mile in. Not bad, I was actually gonna pull this off, "my mile". Check another one off for the week. No big deal, just what I do every day at the gym.

But God, well, He had bigger plans. A further goal. As I was approaching the mile mark (and feeling tired but good about myself), I saw a tree line outside a farm house in the distance which reminded me of my grandpa's house. And I had this urging to keep running until I hit it. Just an urging. And I thought, "Man, if I could run to that tree line, I'd be thrilled."

So I kept running. Shin splints in full effect. Asthma making it feel like I was breathing through a straw, I kept hoofing it like an out-of -shape Clydesdale. I was running after a tree line – my ultimate goal.

Half way to the goal, my mind started telling me "stuff", my guts started feeling like spaghetti and my feet were feeling heavy. I wanted to quit. Something about a gallant effort and all. That's when I looked up and, I kid you not, saw a billboard across the highway that said, "Got Jesus?"

Yessir. Yes, I do. And I've got a half mile to run towards my goal.

So I made my two miles. No Rocky theme music. No jumping up and down on the top the courthouse stairs. No one yelling, "Get 'em , Rock!" Just a nice long two mile walk back to the motel knowing today I ran not one, but two miles, today. Lemme tell you that makes for a nice, long victory walk.

So my prayer for you today is that you define your own "tree line", that goal that seems somewhat out of reach to you right now. Is it losing some weight? Hitting a goal at work? Contacting a new client to help your new business? Getting rid of that pile of papers on your desk that never seems to go away? What is it for you? How do you end the sentence, "If I could only __________________, I'd be ok."

Whatever that is, pray to God about it. Honestly. After all, Jesus said, "Come unto Me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me,, for My Yolk is easy and My burden is light."

Why don't you take him up on His offer today? Just sit and talk to Him honestly about it. Because I can honestly tell you running a mile is ok by yourself, but to hit that tree line goal takes a Running Partner. Now, go lace up and run!

Have a great week!

Healed

2008-10-16T09:36:00.000-07:00

Had some really great emails (and a few phone calls) about last week's "Getting Out Of The Boat" message. Really inspiring to hear how folks are getting out of their comfort zones a bit and taking a chance to grow in Christ.

Ironically, last night one of my favorite speakers, T.D. Jakes was talking a little along the same lines (although his message was way, way better than you're likely to see from this blog). T.D. was talking about the story in Luke 17 about the lepers who were ousted from the safety of the city and how it was their faith (i.e. them getting out of the boat) that restored them.

So let's talk about lepers a bit. Lepers historically are not approachable people, and at the time were, by law, not allowed to approach others. I'm also pretty sure they weren't encouraged to talk to other non-lepers either. So more than likely all they can do is sit outside the city. Probably leaning up against the city wall just looking for a hint of mercy or pity from others. Nothing to live for. Nothing to hope for. After awhile I'm pretty sure they just waited to die. Get it over with. End this misery...this cursed life.

But then...

Then they see Jesus approach. More than likely they probably first heard Jesus approach. They see swarms of people running and gathering to Him and probably hear others shouting, "Jesus! Jesus!" If you try to see the story unfold, you can imagine these guys slumped over, lifeless, in their tattered clothes and it starts sinking in that Jesus is close by. You can almost see their heads raise slowly and then their eyes light up with the same thought, "He can heal us...he can save us!" To be sure they looked at him as shipwrecked sailors look at an approaching ship or rescue plane. They were screaming, waving their hands and shouting their lungs out, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!"

The Bible says, "When he saw them he said to them, 'Go and show yourselves to the priests.' And as they went, they were made clean." One even came back to thank Jesus and devote himself to his new Savior.

They got out of their boat. Took action. Cried out to Jesus. Had faith. And were restored.

My hope today is that if there's an area in your life that needs restored, whether it's a matter of the heart or a concern you've been carrying around for too long, that you too will act on faith, just as those lepers did, and just cry out to Jesus with all your heart. You'll probably be amazed what happens.

Have a great weekend!

Getting out of the Boat

2008-10-16T09:33:00.000-07:00

So we all know the story of Jesus walking on the water. Peter sees Him and says, "Lord, if it's you, tell me to come to you on the water." He gets out of the boat, takes few steps on the water, gets distracted by the storm, looses his footing, Jesus rescues him and they get back in the boat together as the storm subsides.

Most people take this experience and pin Peter as a "goat", because he took his eyes off Jesus and therefore failed. I'd like to say, "Let's not be so hard on the guy." After all, he was walking on water, not exactly a natural thing to do. He was seeing Jesus walking on the water, which would really trip me out. And, here's what I think is so key, he got out of the boat. He saw Jesus, took action and got...out...of...the...boat.

For so many of us, we get into a Christian Comfort Zone and. seldom. do we truly get out of the boat. We take a small chance, it doesn't kill us, there's some good that happens and we kind of "stay put". And then we stay in a hold pattern. I don't think that's what God wants us to do. To be sure, he doesn't want to put us in a place of peril, but a place where we take some action on faith and let Him do the rest. Our own "walk on water" experience. To simply help us grow in Him.

For example, my friend Mark befriended "the new guy" at work. Others in his department were too busy to worry about him, but Mark got out of the boat and befriended the guy. Turns out this guy's wife had just died from a heart malfunction – and she died carrying their yet-to-be-born child. Can you imagine how empty and lost this guy must be feeling? So Mark's "getting out of the boat", befriending and mentoring "the new guy" has given him some new hope and promise. By the way, the guy's name is "Christian", please pray for him.

Another friend of mine is getting out of the boat by trying out as a contestant on "Deal or No Deal". No joke. But here's the twist, she's going into the tryouts locked and loaded with tons of information about "H2O Nigeria" and all the good it's doing right now. Seven wells dug so far with more to follow. Lives saved. Futures transformed. After decades of false promises by the government, God shows up and in 4 months shows them His love and mercy. And Amy, my friend, doesn't care if she gets on TV or wins a million dollars. She just wants to spread the word about the work that God is doing in Jos, Nigeria any way she can. She's truly out of the boat.

So I guess what I'm asking you to do is to pray for God to show you ways to get out of the boat. To take a deep breath, say "God, I really, really need you to show up" and let Him do just that. Doesn't have to be big or grand, it could be as simple as buying a stranger a cup of coffee or saying "Hello" to a neighbor you've never met. But let God lead you. After all, I can't think of anything cooler than walking on water with Jesus. Even if it's only for a moment.

Have a great weekend!

Chapter Three - An End, A Beginning

2008-10-16T09:26:00.000-07:00

Was reading a John Eldredge daily devotional today and he pointed out that we as humans only made it to chapter three in the very first book in the Bible before "we drove it off a cliff". I did some research, and a normal Bible has a little under 1,200 chapters in it total (New and Old Testaments combined).

Out of 1,200...we made it to three. That's pathetic. Breaking that down, if the whole Bible (by chapters) was a 2-hour movie, then we made it roughly 20 seconds into our epic before tanking the whole deal. Awesome.

What's more is the introduction in my NIV Bible to set up Genesis lasts longer in both page- and word-count than Man's perfect reign. Seriously. Six pages to barely four.

Think about that for a second. It's so sad, it's embarrassing.

What's inspiring in all this is that it didn't end at Chapter Three - and it could have. But God, being God, instead graced us with 1,197 some-odd more chapters. 1,197 chapters of hope, promise and New Life. Almost like a God-sized, "But then..." at the end of Genesis 3. Especially with the New Testament, the life of Christ, the words "written in red" and of course The Resurrection.

So one way to look at it is God traded the best we could do, three lousy chapters, for much, much more (1,197). Which is a great deal. Of love, kindness and mercy.

Ok, that's your Bible Study moment for the day. Have a great evening!