Odds

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.