Gauges

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

“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.

Mountains

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.

Fran and Janet

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 who strengthens 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.

Healed

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

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!