The Prayers we pray

I've been talking with several people lately about the prayers we pray...prayers for healing, peace, the will of God, wisdom, and protection. I think it's fascinating how we over complicate something that is meant to be as natural as breathing. Now I understand that it is "unnatural" to communicate with someone you can't see. It's "unnatural" to have the faith that a God you can't see is listening to what you have to say and cares enough to get involved. But isn't our relationship with Christ supposed to be "Supernatural"? Anyway...

I've been asked to pray for a myriad of things and the prayer I pray the most is the one Jesus prayed with the most passion - "Not what I want, but what You want Father". Not my will but Yours".

There are some things that the Bible clearly says are God's will. But then there are grey areas like who to marry, where to go to school, what job to take etc. that although the Bible provides guidelines for, you still have to decide what to do. It's in those moments that the prayers we pray must have Him at the center. God's thoughts are so much bigger than ours. He knows...EVERYTHING. I pray that we will trust Him more and stop leaning on our own noggins!

Let God's will be done in your life.

Learning

Tonight my Tuesday class starts back up. I teach church doctrine and pastoral ministry stuff to future pastors/missionaries/world changers at the Berean Study Center in Clarksville. It's a very humbling gig since I don't have years and years of experience to bring to the table. My heart is to pour out what I do have into the students and set them up for success.

I heard somewhere that a true illiterate is someone who doesn't have the ability to learn-unlearn-and relearn. One of the joys of teaching these Tuesday classes is that it keeps me in a constant cycle of learning. I'm learning more and more to learn in new ways, learn new things, and challenge my own assumptions of what education is and isn't/

I also saturate my life with learning experiences. In the Army they taught us that EVERYTHING is training for something. I like that. Every opportunity is a an opportunity to get an education. Higher education is great and sometimes necessary, but don't ever limit education to a piece of paper or a class room.

Its a Wrap

3 songs...5 hours...not bad

Monday Monday

It's going to be a long one. We just had an assembly at Montgomery Christian Academy. Great experience! The kids were awesome!

We've got lots of running around to do...Sams, Wally world, game crazy... I've got a recording session tonight...long day.

But it's all worth it. We shared with the students about doing everything as if for God. I pray that in our busy day we'll remember who the business should be for.

Subway Breakfast

That's right...breakfast...

This is life

So yesterday was going as planned - meeting in the morning, writing late morning, practice and then...everything had to change. One of my students had a family emergency so we had to drop everything and drive to Bowling Green, KY to deal with the situation. It's wild how one persons problem can end up affecting 9-10 people within a matter of minutes. Thankfully everything is working out.

The cool thing about God is that in the midst of chaos, everything was fine. There was never a stressful thought. It was just instinct to react in love and do what needed to be done. I take no credit for this. I'm humbled that God could use me, my family, friends, and my leaders to be his hands in such a real way.

The past 12 hours have really been about doing life together as followers of Christ. No religion...no form...no superficiality...just life. We've got to make it through today (Thanks April, Ben, and E-Money for holding it down!), but based on yesterday, I think we already have.

Superbowl

1 week until Super Sunday. The best vs. the best. NFL Network is showing a marathon of all of the Superbowls...ALL of them. I wish I had the time to watch!

It's amazing how certain events get us all fired up. We buy into the sensation. People who are usually not interested become experts in the days and weeks leading up to these events. I see this phenomenon happen in church too. We get fired up when certain people come and speak or during certain seasons. Where is our expectation the rest of the time? I pray that I won't live my life on the highs and lows of events. I think that is a reactionary way to do life. Instead...I want to create the event. I want everyday to be a Superbowl day when the best in me takes on the worst and the best of God comes out the winner.

(Go Pats!)

Random Friday Thoughts

-Fridays are family night and this night is going to rock because we are celebrating our little guy's 3rd birthday! Cake Cake and more Cake!!

-I've got a million things to do before 3PM!!!

-Thank God for heaters! (its like 15 degrees out!)

- What will we do without football this weekend?

-I want to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. I talk too much!

-I just started a new book: The Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne
So far so good. I love what Shane and the Simple Way are doing but I hate it because it reminds me of what I'm not doing. Thank God for people who step on our toes. God help me to change!

Turn it Around

One of my favorite promises in the Bible says that God works all things together for the good of those who love the Lord...
Here's the thing, we have a hard time letting the almighty creator of everything do what He does best. He creates something out of nothing. He turns problems into success. He turns pain into growth. He turns walls into doors of opportunity.
Let God turn it around in your life. Chill out. Stop stressing. It will be alright. He is working it out.

Circles

I hate running in circles. That's how I feel right now. "Letting go" and "letting God" is much easier said than done. If you are like me you have this internal drive that is always on the hunt for the solution. We want things to be smooth and ordered, unfortunately, life is seldom that way. The Bible says to "Be still" and to "Be anxious for nothing". How do we apply those principles in the heat of the moment? It's a lesson I'm still learning. Too many times we "pull our own trigger" and mess things all up. We jump out ahead of God and realize that timing is everything. I believe in taking risks and I believe in stepping out. But I also believe that with zeal there must be wisdom. I hate running in circles.

I'll be a praying fool over the next 72 hours...not because I want to move God...but because I need God to do some moving in me!

MCC

I forgot to post this Saturday

Jenga

Heard a great message at SRMC that juxtaposed Jenga with doing ministry while serving your family. Here are some of the main points:

Always make the pre-choice choice.

Do you want your life to be glamorous or significant?

When opportunities knock, make sure priorities answer.

1 good action is worth 1000 good intentions.

Don't play ministry Jenga...the tower always eventually falls!

We play Jenga with our families and ministry not because we mean to, but because we DON"T mean NOT to.

Check out Josh Mayo's book for more info on the subject. Good stuff!

Off Day

Spent the day chillin with the family. Great to get some R&R after a long trip. We've got a whirlwind 2-3 months coming up. I'm normally off on Fridays, but thanks to the good Rev. Dr., most of us got off today.

Here are some random thoughts to tie up the last 5 days:

Texas is a big state

Go Pats beat the Giants

Master's Commission is more than a program. It is a way of life.

Don't let what's wrong with you (or others) keep you from worshiping what's right with God- Batterson

Red bull doesn't always give you wings.

I have the BEST wife and kids on planet earth (and probably the other planets too)

BE the change

Home Sweet Home

We made it thank God! The drive was long and hard but God was gracious. Traffic was smooth and the weather was clear. We left 45 degree Austin and arrived to 10 degree Clarksville! What a shock! I'm going to crash for a couple of hours before church. I'll probably post one more blog about our trip and then I'll get back to the normal once a day groove. It's been great sharing this experience. Good night...actually, good morning.

Passion

Great night! Students stayed in the sanctuary praying and praising well past midnite. The passion in the service last night was palpable. No show. No emotion. It was one of the most authentic times of word and worship I've seen at a retreat/conference..

Today we have a directors breakfast and then 2 sessions. After that, it's back on the road!

Session 2

Dan Valentine tore it up! Here are some thoughts from session 2:

Who are you and what are you here for?

Who you are is not what you do.

Who you are is not your spirituality.

Who you are is not your personality,charisma, or even your character.

Who you are is not your ministry.

Who you are is not your degree, credential, or accomplishment.

Who you are is not your past.

You are a child of God.

And there is nothing He won't do for you.

There is nothing you can do to make Him love you more.

There is nothing you can do to make Him love you less.

You are safe, you are justified, you are secure, you are loved, you are free to be...because you are His.

Cold and wet

It's in the 30s here with a wintery mix. We just played 3 hours of football.FREEZING!!! 2 of our students are playing in the finals! .My team finished 3-1. Not bad for a bunch of old directors and staff!!

Can't wait for tonights service! It will be inside, warm, and dry!

Thoughts from session 1

When someone believes in you, you win. When you believe in you, EVERBODY wins!

Be who God created you to be.

Don't just leave a legacy...BE a legacy.

We are called to live a lifestyle, the lifestyle of the.Master.

More later.

SRMC Day 2

We've got a busy day. Prayer starts in 30 minutes. After that we've got worship and session 1 with Eric Hunsberger from MCIN. Our flag football tournament starts after lunch (students vs staff) and then we've got worship and session 2 to close out the night.
.
I've got such high expectations for what God is going to do today. He never ceases to amaze me. I'll post more after our first session.

Our Family

We made it! Great to be with our MC Family from the South Region. We'll play hard tonight, crash, and wake up ready to encounter God.

Thank Heaven

It's been a trip of first experiences. We all went through Dallas for the first time, we checked out Hope, Arkasas(birthplace of Bill Clinton), April sat at her first RR crossing (while a train passed) and Ben had his first 7-11 Slurpee. Good Times...almost there!

A little more to Little Rock

Jamie really wanted a pic in front of this sign...he just woke up.

Memphis

Blues,BBQ, and Graceland are just a few of the things Memphis is famous for. Now it is famous for being the place with the most BACKWARDS Shell Station on USAmerica! Could they have at least one pump that works?

The guys slept most of the way here, but now that the sun is up we're all energized...the coffee helps too!

Off we go

It's early. It's cold. I think April is sleeping in her car.

Well, we are packed and ready to rock! Next stop...Austin...or a gas stationm

Packing

Love traveling...hate packing! Wouldn't it be nice to just get where you are going and have everything you need already there?

The people of our church have been so great to us! They have given us so much road trip food! I almost feel like Moses when he took the first offering for the tabernacle. We may have to start turning stuff away because of space limits. What a great problem to have!!

We should get some snow before we leave. Hopefully I'll have some sweet pics to post.

T-minus 11 hours

Our trusty steed

T-Minus 17 Hours!

Spiritual Supplements

I believe that our daily "bread" should be nothing but the Bible. That being said, I also believe in spiritual supplements that reinforce what God is already speaking into our lives.Here are some of the "supplements" I'm on right now:

Off Road Disciplines - Earl Creps

People's Church Podcast - People's Church OKC

Cornerstone Webcast - Cornerstone Church Nashville

Evotional.com - Mark Batterson

Lots of David Crowder Band

Relevant Mag

Road Trip!!!

I love road trips! I love the adventure of going somewhere new...or old for that matter! My dad taught me to have an appreciation for USAmeriaca and all of her sights and sounds. My second calling is cartography. I'm a map nerd! I've done route 66 (I-40) from Knoxville, TN to Barstow, CA twice. I've done I-75 from Tampa to Windsor Canada. I love it!

Our Master's Commission is hitting the road for the SRMC Retreat in Austin, TX. It "Ain't" Master's without long trips in a church van! We've already been to KY, IL, MO, an KS in the past 4 months. We're fired up about adding AR and TX to the list.

I'll keep every body posted with pics and news from the road and at the retreat. The retreat is themed RESURFACE and is designed to allow all of the participating MC's to "come up for air", connect with God, and connect with each other. I'm excited about hanging with our Master's family from around the South.

I'll be increasing the blog load starting at about 4am tonight...so check back often. Keep us in your prayers!!

Influence

I got an email yesterday from a friend who has probably influenced me spiritually more than any person. As I read his message I began to think about life before and after my encounter with him. Everything I do...my Bible reading, my prayer life, and my priorities are shaped by the mold that he laid for me. It is amazing how a conversation, a handshake, a kind word, or a few minutes a day can impact someone for eternity. If you are reading this, you know who you are.

I pray that I am impacting people like my friend impacted me. I pray that there is someone out there who is doing life better, serving God passionately, and making disciples because of my influence. Isn't that what this life is all about? If you are a leader I encourage you to make time for people. Make time for that young upstart who thinks he knows everything. Make time for that guy who just "can't get right". Have more coffee talks. Make more phone calls. Buy more pizza for that group that hangs out late after church. Whatever you do...influence someone for good and for God. After all, we all have influence...the question is, are we using it for service or for self?

And then there were 4

I need to stop predicting playoff football. I went 1-3 this weekend. The Chargers, Packers, and Giants all let me down by winning. I can't believe it! But since I've already started down this slippery slope I'll keep going:

Packers over Giants
Pats over Chargers

We'll see...

Crazy Prayers

Yesterday was a day of crazy prayers. Our Master's Commission needed an absolute miracle and God came through! It was a "loaves and fishes" type miracle. I'm so pumped about how God keeps showing up in the lives of our MC students. It's one thing to talk about prayer, faith, and trusting God...but to see those concepts lived out is another thing. I've said it before and I'll say it again: I LOVE BEING AN MC DIRECTOR!!

I wonder how Jesus felt when the disciples came back reporting of the healing and miracles that they did in his name. I know what He said to them, but I wonder if He felt that "fatherly joy" of watching His kids practice what He'd been teaching them? That's how I feel. Yesterday was such a shot in the arm for me! And the best is yet to come!

Prayer works folks. Not because God is our genie in a bottle or even because He wants us happy. It works because He works. It works because He rewards those who seek Him with passion, diligence, and crazy prayers!

Sick and Saved

I hate being sick. I've been fighting some type of allergy/coldy/buggy type thing the last 3 days. It had me beat yesterday. I think it was the first time I missed a Saturday night meeting due to illness. I'm so blessed to have a team that can pinch hit for me in the 11th hour. Gotta send much love to E-Money for holding it down(like 2 flats!)
I'm feeling better but not quite 100% yet...but His strength is perfect when my strength is gone!
I'm EXPECTING God to do something Crazy today!

Playoffs

I love football! It's playoff time and I'm psyched (even with the Bucs and Titans eliminated)! Here are my picks for the weekend:

Seahawks upset Packers
Colts over Chargers
Cowboys over Giants
Pats over Jags in a close one

We continue some great series in church this weekend...it doesn't get any better then good church and good football!

Happy weekend!

Work/Friday/MCC

I had to switch my day off due to some personal stuff Monday..so here I am at my desk on a Friday. Weird. Thankfully, all we are working on today is human video practice. I'll put the students through about 3-4 hours of work and then we'll call it a day.

I absolutely love being a Master's Commission Director. I think it is the heart of what discipleship is. We don't meditate and wax philosophical on high theological truth...we read the word and do it in the real world. Very fulfilling. I don't thank God enough for the opportunity He's given me to invest in young adults. "Thanks God, you Rock!"

I've got the best MC students on earth. They are real, passionate, and hungry for change. What more could you ask for? I guess I could ask for them to have lots of money to give the ministry! No, seriously I love my students and all of the Next Level/CFA Young Adults Family!

Why we can't do what we say

How do we:
-Go after God
-Walk in Victory
- Get on "fire" for God
-Sell out for Jesus
-Be a "witness" for Jesus
-Let God be God
-Say no to the world and yes to God?

I believe all of the above principles are great and are Godly...but how do we do them in the real world? To be a better pastor I have to become a better "equipper". I'll shoot straight and tell you that I believe the reason there is a disconnect between what we say and what we do is that we don't really know how to do what we say. And I want to take my share of the blame and confess that I need to help people more in the area of application. But its not just about what the pastors and teachers are doing/not doing...all of us need to start asking the how questions regardless of whether we read the word or hear it. The "how" questions will point us to application and application sets us up to do what God asks/desires/demands us to do.

Love God with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength...How?
Pray persistently with passion...How?
Be Jesus wherever you are...How?

I pray God leads us to the place where we are true doers of the word.

Where are you going?

I love the New Year! I love the vision and dreaming that is in the air. I'm still recovering from what I feel is the most "shock and awe" type message I've ever delivered at our church. You can hear it HERE. (Sorry, the audio starts about 2 minutes into the message) Thanks Mark at NCC for coining the phrase "Change of Place + Change of Place = Change of Perspective. The bottom line is it takes faith to change - our lives, habits, etc. I pray that I sparked a fire in the complacent and that I motivated the faithful to get busy moving forward for God. Check out this blog for some good articles on faith/vision/dreams.

Qualification

Great spot on FOX this morning about what makes a person qualified for the presidency. They looked at things like set backs in life, trial endured, and variety of occupation and knowledge as some keys to qualification.

The Bible basically says that the God of all comfort comforts us so that we can be ac comfort to those who need comforting. It says that struggle builds character and that through trial, who we really are will come out.

I think its cool that what we've endured qualifies us for where we may end up in life.So next time you feel unqualified for...anything, consider what you've endured. Just a thought.

On Hold

Do you remember when we used to be able to talk to people. Its wild to see how technology has all but eliminated human contact. We pay our bills online, use the drive-thru at the bank (for those without direct deposit), shop online, txt in lieu of talking, have our movies delivered in the mail, use self check out at Wal-Mart and on and on. Don't get me wrong, I love technology...but I hate fighting through an automated phone system just to sit on hold for 30 minutes waiting to talk to an actual human. What's up with that?

The Off Season Begins

The New York Football giants beat my Tampa Bay Bucs in the playoffs yesterday. The Chargers put salt in my wound by beating the Titans. Not a good football day for me. Oh well. time to move on. At least the Jags are still representing the FLA!

Court of Public Opinion

ESPN had an awesome piece on this morning about truth and lies in the court of public opinion. With some major athletes getting busted for lying and politicians who live and die with every soundbite, its a wonder we believe anything.
What motivates people to lie? What motivates spin?
I'm not arrogant enough to think I have the right answer or that I can resolve the issue in a blog, but I do think part of the issue has to do with public opinion. Some people care so much about what people think about them that they will compromise who they really are in order to protect an image. And most of these images are made up of other peoples unrealistic expectations.
In ministry there are people who can't be themselves because they are crippled by the fear of what "so and so is going to think". How long are we going to let public opinion control truth? Are we capable of thinking for ourselves anymore?

The Beginning of the Week

For me, Saturday is really my Monday. We have our Young Adults meeting on Saturday nights, then church all day Sunday, and then a work week Mon-Thurs. So while most folks are cutting lawns or bumming around the house, I usually spend Sats getting my head ready for the evening. We start some new series this weekend and I'm fired up about them both. Our Sat series in on personal finance (Mind Your Business) and our Sunday morning series is on Spiritual Myths. I'll also be speaking in the Sunday Night Service (Everything Must Change). Our MC students come off of break tonight as well and we'll be back in the grinder come Monday. Busy times!

Day Off

Fridays are my day off. I usually run some errands and then spend a good part of the morning chillin' out. We have a "family night" every Friday and it is the highlight of my week. We'll probably have an epic light saber battle tonight. I'll be doing a little bit of writing today...but other then that...I'm relaxing.

Frozen Mazda

It is cold. It was about 10 degrees this morning. What the heck is that all about? So Yesterday it was about 14 and I went out early to warm up my truck...it wouldn't start. It was scary and funny at the same time. Funny -because parked next to the truck was my car that is out of commission right now. Scary- because parked next to the truck was my car that is out of commission right now. I prayed a 45 second "Hey God what's the deal" type of prayer and the car started! Well, today...same thing happened. Only this time my prayer was more of a 15 second "Hey God this is a joke right?" type of prayer. Thankfully, the truck started again and is running fine.

Some might say I'm making light of God and/or prayer but I beg to differ. Child-like faith is all about praying for puppies, football teams (go Bucs!), and everyone in the "whole wide world". I'd rather trust God in 10 degree weather sitting in a car that won't start then lean on myself when everything is going right. I believe that prayer is a faith multiplier. The more you talk to God, the more faith you'll have to trust Him, Live for Him, and share Him.

Maybe I should start praying for some warmer weather...

Books and Blogs

Here are some books and blogs that have influenced change in me the last 12 months:

Books

In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day - Mark Batterson

The Gospel According to Starbucks - Leonard Sweet

Everything Must Change - Brian McLaren

Dream - Mark Rutland

Jim & Casper Go to Church - Jim Henderson, Matt Casper, George Barna

Blogs

evotional.com

hebertcooper.com

earlcreps.com

futureag.blogspot.com

Everything Must Change

"If Jesus' message of the kingdom of God is true, then everything must change" - Justine (a Burundian living in Rwanda)

Everything must change. This is has become my mantra for 2008 and hopefully beyond. The status quo has gotten us nowhere fast. If we are to reverse the decline that is all around us (spiritually, financially, and relationally), then we must change. Our methods, our vocabulary, and our world view must take their place in the fire of change. Change is hard, messy, and often a long process. Nevertheless, it is necessary. Here are some things that I will change starting today:

My sermon delivery (more dialoge and metaphor to support proposition, eliminate "churchy cliches" altogether)

More quiet meditation and reflection during prayer (balanced with fervent prayer)

A new level of stewardship (give more away)

Increase dialouge with those who do not follow Christ

Get out of the office

What will you change?

Happy 2008!

What a long night! Here are the highlights:

- Church
- 2 hours of drumming
- several matches of Holiday Pool on the Blackberry
- Fireworks in the church parking lot (it was freezing!)
- Communion @ 2 minutes til midnite
- cake chips and more cake
- Seven phone calls after midnite (its going to be a busy year)