It's Not What You Do, But Who You Are

So I am reading a book called The Radical Reformission. It is a book by Mark Driscoll. He is the pastor of Mars Hill Church in Seattle, Washington. He is the kind of guy who probably wouldn't expect to have a large church. He is known for his brash attitude and harsh words. However, he should be known for his heart for Jesus and desire to bring him into a real world.
With Easter just around the corner, his thoughts about reaching out to the lost world is amazing. He writes in his book that reformission happens when we stop thinking that missions is something we do and missions is something we are. All the time, we are missionaries for Jesus, either we are good missionaries or bad.
So for me, I have to realize that every day and every moment is a reflection for Jesus. Whether I want it to be or not, it is.
So I have to realize that it is not about what I do but who I am.

Leap Year

So today is a day that only happens once every four years. It probably stinks for those who have birthdays on this day. "Hey, happy birthday, can't wait for it to come again!" So I am glad that my birthday is not on this day.
For some of us, it seems like we take our relationship with God and others they same way. "Hey God, good to see you. See you again in 4 years." "Hey Church, good to see you this week. I will be back in four years."
Many times, we see our relationship with God and our relationships with others on different levels. But if we look close enough in Scripture, God puts to the two relationships close together. There are in need of each other.

So take a look at your life. How is your relationship with God? How are your relationships with others?

Or do you just think about this every four years...

The Real Me

Baldy, Mr. Clean, Member of the KKK, Captain Chemo and all kinds of other names have been put on my label. Thanks, Mom and Dad for the genetic predisposition to male pattern baldness. I have heard them all of the last 9 years as I have shaved my balding head. In the beginning, they hurt a lot. I was so terrified of going bald. I never thought I would get married and that I would be a loser the rest of my life. All because I was losing my hair.
We all live by labels. Most of the time, they are labels that other people put on us. Many times, we allow those labels to dictate choices and actions in our lives. Then, we allow ourselves to become whatever that label was. But is it really you? Who is the real you?
For our students, we have been trying to breakthrough those labels and find out who the real person is deep down inside. Sometimes that means exposing ourselves and being a little vulnerable. The cool thing about that is many of the things we try to hide are the same things other people are going through and need just as much help dealing with. My suggestion would be to try and find someone close to you who you can open up to. For us guys, this can be difficult, but it can also be on of the most freeing experiences in your life.

True Life

So last night, our students were part of an event called True Life. It was one of our area events that was led by one student for his senior project. It was similar to an event that we do called FindIt. The band Spur58 played and there were several different testimonies from students and several people a little older (including me). There were probably close to 400 students there. The band was good and the testimonies were interesting. It was good to hear peer students sharing their stories but you could tell they were nervous. One of the guys kept saying "let's be serious" and "let's get real" and then he would crack a joke. It was pretty ironic and funny.
Anyways, I mention that because I got the chance to end the night out with a simple summary and chance to respond. I simply shared one of my favorite verses from the Bible. John 10:10 tells us, "The Thief comes to kill, steal and destroy. But I (Jesus) have come that you might have life and life to the fullest." This is one of the greatest promises in all the Bible. This life we live can suck the life right out of us. Relationships, money, media and the american dream can "kill, steal and destroy" many of the things that God wants for us. Thankfully, God has come to give us true life and that life is found in him. When we chose to live our lives for Christ, it makes all the difference.

The Joy of James

Right now, I am taking my high school boys Bible study through the book of James. We have only gone through the first chapter but it is loaded with some great stuff. First, counting it as joy to go through tough times. I don't know about you, but the last thing I think about going through tough times in JOY. But that is what James tells us to do. It will cause maturity to grow in our lives. It will help me to grow.
Even as difficult as this first part is, the last part of the chapter seems even harder. In verse 22 of the first chapter, James tells us the we cannot be just hearers of the word, but also doers. In my opinion, this is the most difficult thing of the for people of the south to do/be. It is easy to show up on Sunday mornings, 'hear' a message and go home, checking the box on your checklist off. Can that really be it? I heard a good sermon? Please let there be more!!!! God is calling us to be doers of his word. Purely put in James, love the orphans, widows and the poor. So don't be just 'hearers,' or 'readers' of God, but be the doer!

GOD IS BIG

So I have been studying for the last few days about how big God is based upon Creation or the world. I have been watching Louie Giglio's 2 part series Indescribable. It is awe-inspiring. I really can't wait to teach this on Wednesday night. I hope that I can communicate it effectively.
Our theme for the month of January is Authentic Faith. I want our students to know that God can be trusted, that He will do all He has promised to do. I want them to view God as someone sooooo much bigger than we are. If they can gain this perspective from understanding what God has done and is continuing to do, this can dramatically change the way they trust God.
If you have not seen these videos, you can go to NorthPoint.org and under the messages you can see them at the bottom. They are truly amazing. It definitely makes you think that there has to be something more to life when you see it.

Ready for the New?

So we are 4 days into the new year and it seems like a lot of new things are becoming new. Aimee and I are looking for a new home, I am typing this from a new computer, there are some new opportunities for how my job looks, and we might even get a new puppy!
All of this can be a little scary because of the unknown. The biggest "known" is that God will take care of us through it all. My pastor has been talking to us on staff about exercising our faith. He wants us to trust God for more and be more vocal about it.
I am trying to do this by being more vocal with my dependence on God. When it comes to big financial decisions or career opportunities, I want God to basically make the decision for me. But that is not it, I really need God to help me make decisions each day that almost have as much of an effect on my life as these big decisions.
God not only cares about the big things but the everyday things too. He wants to be a part of every aspect of my life. I need for him to be there.
So I may not be ready completely for the "new" but I am ready for God to be in all of it.