Focused On the Unseen

Antiques and Stories

2012-02-01T08:13:00.000-08:00

Last weekend I was privileged to speak at Phantom Ranch’s high school winter retreat. Nicole and I looked up the weather for that weekend, and according to TWC it was suppose to be in the 40’s with no snow. I don’t know what it is about meteorologists, but I could probably predict with better accuracy by just throwing random numbers around. Nevertheless, Nicole and I bought into the idea that it would be spring jacket and sweatshirt weather.

Saturday we woke up to a few fresh inches of snow, and quite a nasty wind chill. After I preached in the am, we decided to head off campus and see what indoor activities there were in SE Wisconsin. We a large barn (go figure) with the word “antiques” painted on the side. Though I rarely purchase antiques (unless it’s a suit of armor for my fireplace) I still love walking through these stores. Almost all of these stores have WWII, antique toys, and odd gadget isles. There’s something about walking past rows of items that all have a story behind them.

Too often I think we forget this about people. If you’re anything like me, within the first 10 minutes of talking to someone you think you’ve already figured them out. Everyone has a story. I hope my interest grows in people the more I’m around them, even though human nature is to do the opposite.

Ran Across This

2011-12-21T10:32:00.000-08:00

I'm eating some left over pizza for lunch in my office (last night's pizza from a life group bowling night). I had pandora playing, and this song popped up. I wanted share these lyrics. (From "Times" by Tenth Avenue North)

and when your heart breaks
the times that you feel like you've fallen from grace
the times you're hurting the times that you heal
the times you go hungry and attempted to steal
in times of confusion and chaos and pain
I'm there in your sorrow under the weight of your shame
I'm there through your heartache I'm there in the storm
My love I will keep you by My power alone
I dont care where you've fallen, where you have been
I'll never forsake you
My love never ends

God's First Priority Is NOT Your Happiness

2011-06-30T09:38:00.000-07:00

Very dogmatic title, I agree. Yet, I'm quite frustrated at this point with people who use "God's Will" as a free ticket to live responsibility free.

Let me explain... I've seen people duck out of church responsibility by using the "I feel like God is leading me elsewhere" excuse. I've watched ministries hurt (including my own) because of people who jump from one new church to the other, depending on their mood, thinking that must be how God leads them. It's not, simply because God would never lead someone to hurt the ministry of His Church. I'm thankful that the church I work at isn't a revolving door, but I feel for those churches who are hurt by flash in the pan people.

I feel the same frustration when I hear people talk about divorce and they'll use the excuse "but God wants me to be happy." Really? Show me where it says that anywhere in the Bible. They're willing to go against God's structure of marriage, and handicap their children's view of family by attempting to justify it.

God's first priority is the Church, not your happiness. However, I've seen people gain true happiness by working with integrity even when ministry is grueling and marriage becomes a project. Don't cop out like a coward, and if you do don't pass the blame to God's leading.

Mayberry Church?

2011-06-27T13:37:00.000-07:00

Two weeks ago I found that I could stream “The Andy Griffith Show” through my wii. I grew up loving this show, and still do today. I’ll admit, I even wake up an hour earlier just so I can enjoy breakfast and watch an episode while reading the comics (who doesn’t want to start their day with Hagar The Horrible).

I think I’d like to live in Mayberry. Could you Imagine having a town with feisty deputy, one odd barber, one goofy mechanic, and a town drunk who’s polite enough to turn himself in? A place where everyone not only knew but cared for their neighbors, and nobody was in too big of a rush for personal conversation.

Silly as this may sound, I see similarities between the Church and Mayberry. The Church can often have some odd people who give character to it’s ministries. Every church has those people who mess up, yet turn themselves in because they know they can’t do this on their own.

I thank God I’m in a community where everyone not only knows but cares for each other. We may not call it Mayberry, but I’m glad I’m at The Bridge.

Lesson Learned In Public

2011-05-17T13:16:00.000-07:00

Growing up, I’ve had many humbling experiences (I’ll have to post more to this blog in the future). One experience still haunts me to this day. Like every cocky 17 year old, I thought of myself as indestructible...especially in the area of public speaking. I was always confident in front of larger crowds, that was until my dad asked me to speak at one of our Saturday night services in Wisconsin.

I was suppose to get up and talk about my experience in 3rd world countries. After reminding my dad that I did not need to practice or prepare what I was going to say, I found myself walking up on stage clueless as to what I had to offer to this topic. I was handed the mic before getting lost in the audience’s blank stares. All I can remember is fumbling over sentences that made no coherent thought and then sheepishly handing the microphone back.

As I walked off the stage, I headed straight for my car to hide like a turtle in its shell. Since then I’ve always gotten nervous before speaking. Don’t get me wrong, I take every opportunity I can get to teach but I’ll never forget the blank stares that seemed to whisper “you don’t need to prepare do you?”

Eye Contact

2011-04-25T12:36:00.000-07:00

This Easter weekend was packed full of work. I’d do it again in a heartbeat, but it was exhausting. A few staff became my temporary roommates this week, and the auditorium turned into our luxurious apartment. There were numerous rehearsals; lighting, audio, video, and stage equipment to be set up, videos to be shot, music to be fine tuned, costumes adjustments, and props critiqued. I had it better than Brian, but this week was insane.

After falling into my couch Sunday afternoon, I thought to myself “all of that work for a few 1 hour worship sets.” After getting some much needed sleep, I came into the office to tear down and get a start on the check-list for this week. I ran across a timely quote by Driscoll in my sermon prep, “keep your Bible open, your eyes focused, your hands ready, and your heart broken, and fight in such a way that when you stand before Jesus in the end, you can look him in the eye.”

I too often I lose focus of the end goal in what I do at The Bridge. To be able to stand before Jesus, completely worn out, yet able to look Him in the eye because I gave His work all I had in me. The Christian life may be exhausting at times, but I’d have it no other way.

What You See Is What You Get

2011-04-04T11:46:00.000-07:00

I typically leave for church around 7:20a on Sunday mornings (and I don’t return until 9p). I can’t leave home without a mug full of iced mint lime tea, my wife makes the best...and she hates the taste. On the way to church I always listen to the Mormon choir on 101.9 and imagine the beautiful cathedral they’re in. It’s funny because this station is owned by The Mormon Church yet other than Sundays you hear anything but family values on it’s airwaves.

Last Sunday I got to leave a little bit later because I had to preach (seems backwards, I know). I tuned into the same station, and unfortunately the choir had finished and it was on to the top 20 hits for the week. One song really caught my attention. The lyrics to the song read:

Seems like everybody's got a price,

I wonder how they sleep at night.

When the sale comes first,

And the truth comes second

Interestingly enough I was preaching on that same topic. We divide people based on price; the logos on the coffee cup, the phone in their hands, and the car they drive. We understand this, so we do all we can to shade ourselves and make us look different than who we are. I find that the people I like hanging out with the most, are the kind of people that can be describes as “what you see is what you get.”

God's Will

2011-03-07T07:48:00.000-08:00

Last week I had the high schoolers at The Bridge write down questions they were struggling with. As I sifted through each card, I was reminded how I had struggled with the same exact questions. One question in particular caught my eye, “How do we know if what we are doing is God’s will, how do I make tough decisions?”

Growing up I remember hearing very conservative people talk about waiting on God’s will for what they should major in to what car to buy. I remember thinking, does God really have a preference? If He does, then where does He stop with His preferences? Will He get upset if you wear a red shirt when He preferred the blue shirt on Thursday?

I don’t believe God has a specific and detailed life mapped out for most people. He may for some; people like Moses, David, John, and Paul definitely had that kind of a life. But too often people complicate life decisions based off the assumption that that there is a specific bullseye that they have to hit otherwise they anger God.

I believe that if you are right with God, close with Him (there is a difference), and if the door is open...then do what you want. God may prefer a decision over another from time to time, but He’ll open and close doors based on His plan. It’s not about hitting a bullseye, it’s about being close with the Creator and allowing Him to steer the boat when He wants to.

Proverbs 3:5-6

To Fear or Not To Fear

2011-02-21T09:45:00.001-08:00

I remember sitting in my 6th grade Bible class and going through the Old Testament. We would study a few chapters at a time and then have a quiz on Friday morning. We were looking at Deuteronomy 6 one morning and read through a part where God commanded his people to fear him. I remember stopping at that point where my teacher continued to share how that fear meant more of a respect than an actual frighten.

Yet as I look through instances where the glory of God appeared to people, these people didn’t fall to their knees in respect...they were terrified. I believe people who see God as one to be feared, truly have a good grasp of who He is. Your worldview totally changes when you realize there is a power so strong it's frightening.

A Stadium of Strangers or Friends

2011-02-10T08:03:00.000-08:00

January 26th 1997 was the last time I had heard “Packers and World Champions” in the same sentence. That night my friend Brian and I sat in green t-shirts, with masking taped numbers, and watched the Packers hold up the Lombardi trophy. I knew each player by name, and have every one of their cards in a decorated 3 ring binder. To me, that was the pinnacle of success. My 9 year old mind couldn’t comprehend anything better than representing that organization.

Winning a super bowl has got to be a great feeling, but I don’t see that as the pinnacle of success any longer. Don't get me wrong, what guy wouldn’t want to sport a super bowl ring and hold up the Lombardi trophy?

However I’d rather be David Gentiles. You probably have never heard of him, and for good reason. He never won a professional ball game, wrote a best seller, starred in a movie, or even preached a sermon. Yet, last year his funeral was so large it filled a baseball stadium. Why? Because David loved on everyone he knew.

There is excitement in running onto a field of strangers chanting your name, but I’d rather be the guy filling up a stadium with friends to say goodbye.

Old Love and Cold Rain

2011-01-24T15:09:00.000-08:00

The other day I saw something that no movie or book could match. It was a rainy evening and I was walking into my apartment after a long day of work. The rain had picked up from a drizzle to a down pour. While dodging the growing puddles, I noticed a couple walking through the rain holding hands. I figured it was a couple of fun loving high school students who call crushes “love.” As they got closer I noticed one was having trouble walking, she was leaning on him. As they passed I could see the wrinkles on their faces, and raindrops running down their thick rimmed glasses. This wasn’t a high school couple, this was a couple in their upper 70’s. A cold rainy night had brought a beautiful picture of love, one I won’t soon forget.

Most guys aren’t into chick flicks, and I’m no acceptation to that statistic. Hollywood has devalued love to cheap sex; no depth and no connection. The first man, Adam, longed for a soul mate. I don’t know how long he waited for one...it could’ve been years. I can only imagine how he looked at her for the first time. Not as an object, but as a true friend that he could connect to on a human level. I believe that’s how God intended love to operate. I hope to be the one walking in the cold rain with my wife in 50 years. Forget the cheap sex and shallow love that leads to our nations divorce statistics, my aim is to be that old couple leaning on each other in the cold rain.

Drive Down Memory Lane

2011-01-16T13:46:00.001-08:00

Last week I headed up to Wisconsin for a weekend away. I always enjoy trips back home. It’s not just the cheese curds and sea of packer jerseys, but I like driving through my old stomping grounds.

On my way home from snowboarding I drove through my hometown of Oregon, WI. This small town of 8,000 people was the center of my universe. I drove down the road where I learned to ride my first orange mountain bike with gears, past the nursing home where I used to visit my great grandma who gave the sloppiest kisses. Not much had changed, although they’re still adding stoplights to the tiniest intersections.

I had a lot of hopes and dreams in that small town that disappeared with my leaving. I wanted to climb to the top of the oak tree out front of my old church, now it’s just stump. I wanted to buy the old body shop and make it my vintage home. When I was a Junior in high school, I wanted my team to win the state basketball championship.

I was reminded of how fast life goes. Many people see their life like Oregon, dust in the wind that can’t be caught and collected back. I’m glad those were just silly childhood dreams, yet I don’t want to reach the end of my life and look back on it all like Oregon.

Here's the church...Here's the steeple

2011-01-07T07:14:00.000-08:00

Some of my earliest memories growing up were at church. I remember tagging along with my dad to his office while he printed out sermon material on the old copier paper. He had a few wooden ducks on his desk, who seemed to beg me to float them in the bathroom sink...I wouldn’t dare.

I don’t tag along with dad to his office much anymore, however when I find myself bored I’ll typically head to the empty church and sit in the lobby and read. I enjoy attending events and working alongside by brother and sisters. I simply enjoy church. It’s encouraging to be around people who have the same goals, moral standards, and love for God. Who would want to miss out on that?

I guess that’s why I’ve never quite understood why supposedly committed Christians don’t see a problem with once a month attendance or committing to social events over ministry. Think about it, coaches expect 100% attendance to practices and games. Yet, sometimes we think God doesn’t expect the same commitment for a cause much bigger than a game or even a sport for that matter.

I understand that it’s healthy to be involved in various activities. There is great value in having large networks of friends and communities. However, it’s easy to get sucked into these activities and place church in the backseat.

Don’t put church on the back burner. I’ll go a step further and say, let church define you. If our world is going to change, it’s going to start with the local church. Don’t bother looking anywhere else for such hope, the church is it. Is there anything more important than pouring our lives into such a cause?

Advent Conspiracy

2011-01-03T08:45:00.000-08:00

I’m not the grinch, nor do I cheer for him in the classic movies, but I’ll be the first to voice my frustration regarding the greed that surrounds Christmas time. A few years ago, a movement began called “Advent Conspiracy.” I love their slogan, “Nobody wants a Christmas worth forgetting.” The movement has four main points:

Worship Fully
Spend Less
Give More
Love All

Worship fully can be described as putting down the gift list, and focusing on the meaning of Christmas. God becoming man to save a lost and broken people. This means entering the Christmas season with a passion to worship Jesus Christ.

Spend less may seem “anti-Christmas” but think about this, Americans spend 450 billion each year on Christmas. A lot of that money is spent on gifts we feel obligated to give, and we receive those same gifts out of the same obligation. This new movement simply asks people to buy one less gift.

How can one give more and spend less? That seems a bit contradictory. However, the best gifts I have received and given cost nothing but time. I remember visiting a few elderly people when I was in high school. I may not be a Lawrence Welk fan, but those elderly people enjoyed a 20 minute visit. Last Christmas, my family took gloves to homeless people in the city. Get this, I don’t remember any gifts I got last year...yet I will never forget that 2 hour trip.

“Love all” can sound a bit wishy washy, but this movement makes a good point. You would be surprised if you know how many people, in your circle of acquaintances, spend Christmas alone.

I urge you to try these four challenge. Go into Christmas with a heart of worship. Don’t get caught up in the consumerism. Look for ways to impact and love on people. Money only goes so far, however love costs nothing and changed a world beginning in a stable.

A Love Hate Relationship

2010-10-12T17:57:00.000-07:00

I had wrote in a previous blog that fall is nostalgic. Tonight it hit me a little more. I walked into Caribou 20 min. ago and loved hearing the leaves crunch between my sperry’s and the pavement. Call me weird, but the sound reminded me of soccer cleats walking across my old school’s gravel parking lot.

From kindergarten through tenth grade I attended a small private school (by small, I mean there were 6 kids in my class). We had two sports for guys; basketball and soccer. I loved soccer. It was as close to football as we could get. The guys I sat with in math, history, and science were the same guys I played soccer with in the evenings. In fact, the same girls who sat in those classes with us were the same girls we’d try to impress by kicking a soccer ball far. It was great. For some reason, today I missed it today more than usual.

Then I think about how much I hated those same things at the time. I didn’t appreciate those close knit relationships, in fact I resented it at times. I hated that my friends were chosen for me, I had no say... there were only 2 other guys in my class. I hated that I only had two teachers for all 7 class periods. I especially hated that my friends wanted to date the same girls.

I don’t know if it’s maturity that causes me to now appreciate those times, or if it’s simply being ungrateful for the little things in life back then. However, it does make me appreciate some of the little things that annoy me.

Confession

2010-09-24T09:23:00.001-07:00

I love fall. For some odd reason, it brings me back to my senior year in high school...yet I hated high school. I loved fall that year though. It may have been because the previous spring was ugly. In a series of unfortunate and unrelated events, I had lost my best childhood friend as well as my girlfriend. That summer was a lonely one. I spent most of it landscaping for a local company, while getting acquainted with my xbox in the evenings.

However, fall brought a new chapter. Switchfoot had just come out with their new album “Nothing Is Sound” which was on repeat in my beat up, red Chrysler. I began to grow closer with another childhood friend, who I still have a blast hanging out with today. I began to form a circle of good friends, I loved my job, I grew closer to my family, and more importantly my Creator. Life seemed to have more direction, and it felt great.

Last Sunday, my wife and I decided to revel in the crisp fall weather by heading downtown with another couple. This may sound odd, but as we were walking down Michigan avenue I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Fall brings back great memories; football, apple orchards, bon fires, coats, and the anticipation of dusting off the snowboard.

Yet, not long after that deep breath of nostalgia I locked eyes with a little homeless boy. He was about 8 years old sitting with his mom and sister outside a ritzy shopping area. His smile broke my spirit, what does he have to smile about?! I wonder what fall means to this little guy. Does the crisp air make him afraid of spending another harsh Chicago winter outdoors? Do the changing of leaves remind him to begin searching for an old coat and a warm ally?

...and I complain? This week alone I complained about having to walk around this summer because I didn’t have a car, my ipod wouldn’t lock properly, my office has spotty wifi, and my bass guitar occasionally has bad pickups. Too often we all get distracted as to why we are here on earth. I love what my wife wrote,

I want to arrive in Heaven as Christ did:

Beaten, broken, bruised, worn out, and yet completely satisfied in the fact that I lived my life to bring glory to God, to reach the lost of this world for Christ, and I did it with the full joy of God in my life living every moment to the fullest.

I got distracted from that this week.

A Mystery Bag

2010-09-20T09:33:00.001-07:00

I can't honestly say I hate Mondays. My wife doesn't have to work so I usually get to enjoy the morning with her, sometimes with a great breakfast. However, on this particular Monday morning she was in an organizing mood, so I went into a work a bit earlier (I'm smarter than you think :) ).

I walked into my office to find a bag full of items on my desk. Not knowing who it was for or from, I placed the items on Jeremy's desk. He informed me that it wasn't his so I decided to take a look through the stuff. It turns out it was a wedding gift. There were several items with notes attached. Here's what I found:

Coffee: "For staying up as late as it takes to 'not let the sun set on your

anger"

A Mirror: "For figuring out who should apologize first."

Lemonade: "When life gives you lemons... Ministry brings many challenges to marriage. Instead of letting yourself resent ministry, work through the problems openly & always praise God for taking you both out of darkness & calling you to serve Him

A Mask: "Nicole, culture says submission is weakness. It may seem so, but actually submission is power in disguise. Respecting our husbands empowers us to glorify Christ.

A Frame: "Picture what you want your family to be, & don't do anything that interferes with that picture. Opportunities will arise."

A Nightgown: "Nothing says 'not tonight, honey' like a polka dot moo moo"

An Unmentionable: "For the other six nights a week"

I have good friends. Now to figure out who left the bag...

What Now?

2010-09-17T09:21:00.000-07:00

In the past few days, I’ve heard the same comment three different times. A couple days ago I was talking to a lady about tattoos since we both have a few. The discussion turned to how each tattoo reminds her of past chapters of her life.

Side Note: I know tattoos can be very controversial with certain people, but I find that talking about my tattoos or other people’s usually leads the conversation to a much more deeper topic. Try asking someone about their tattoos, you’ll be surprised how much they may open up to you.

One of this lady’s tattoos was a verse from Proverbs 31:10. She told me of how her husband read this verse to her right before he passed away. The conversation shifted to the present. She said something along the lines of “I miss my husband, and now I don’t know where God wants me.”

The second and third time I heard this comment was from two high school guys at Cornerstone. I asked them if they desired to be where God wants them, and they answered, “Yes, but I don’t know where that is.” Two genuine guys stumped by this question as well.

I feel bad for people who struggle with this uncertainty. I don’t believe God places people here and leaves them to fend for themselves with no clear idea of what He wants of them while they’re here. Think about it for a second, it would be terribly frustrating for us if God knew exactly what He wants of us and then not communicate that desire (Kind’ve like what women do to men... :) ).

Proverbs 3 states to lean on God and He will make your paths straight. That’s pretty simple, even for a guy like me. God doesn’t expect us to live life by some formula in order to magically make Him happy. He simply says, lean on Him. I told the guys at Cornerstone that what God wants from them now is to simply grow close to Him. That’s when we as believers live life to it’s full potential. John Piper said it perfectly, "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him."

An Acquired Taste

2010-09-10T08:26:00.000-07:00

I’m sitting in Caribou a bit let down at the moment. Last Friday I came and ordered a “Mint Lime White Tea.” I love tea and had never heard of “white tea,” so I thought I’d give it a shot. To put it in simple wording without trying to describe it in some forced creative fashion, it was amazing. So last Wednesday I decided to make my Friday visit to Caribou a consistent activity while writing curriculum for Cornerstone’s next series “Sunday School Remix.”

Side Note: I enjoy Caribou over Starbucks for two reasons. First- the tea. Second- As I sit here and write there are World War II veterans sitting next to me reminiscing about life 50 years ago. Starbucks for some reason doesn’t attract the same classy crowd. I love indie/hispster atmospheres, but that place is too much of a breeding ground for my liking.

Anyways I've digressed enough, so I had been looking forward to today’s date with another glass of this new found tea ever since my straw made the slurping sound from last Friday. As nerdy as it sounds, I woke up this morning with a lime/mint craving... so I rushed over here after picking my computer up from the office. I ordered my tea and stood in line like a kid on Christmas. Tragically I watched as the baristas frantically searched for the limes and mint leaves. Disappointed, I walked over to my computer and sat down defeated. They were out and nothing else can quench the lime/mint thirst I’ve had for the last week.

This story is pathetic on several levels but let me explain just one. I may be the only Christian with this struggle, but I rarely long to spend time with God. I can’t remember the last time I hopped out of bed on a Friday morning wondering what God has for me in today’s reading of scripture. I wonder how different my life would look if I longed for more time with God to the same extent that I longed for a glass of tea. Thankfully I have a Father who loves and blesses despite my frequent lack of enthusiasm. Like wine, I think a longing for scripture is an acquired taste for some people. You may have to force yourselves somedays, but you’ll attain it.

Cheating On God

2010-08-30T13:40:00.000-07:00

As odd as it sounds, I think our society is enamored with stories of betrayal, infidelity, and secrets (high school never ends). The dumbest gossip magazines are best sellers, and E!’s popularity defines our society obsession with these stories. I won’t lie, I even find myself sometimes being sucked into TV shows investigating a murder and the secret events that lead to the tragedy.

This morning was one of those times. My wife said she was doing laundry as I hopped in the shower. I should’ve listened because when I returned to my closet, I had no pants, shorts, or anything resembling clothing to cover my legs. I was stranded in my apartment...so I turned on the tube. The channel was set to a show covering the story of a man who found out about his wife’s infidelity. This new discovery basically broke the man to his inner core. He became terribly insecure, emotionally unstable, and spent many sleepless night with his head in the toilet. I can’t say I fully understand this man’s pain. I have no idea how I would even handle betrayal to that extent.

Think back to Genesis 1. Adam and Eve had betrayed the One that gave them complete stability (to the point where they didn’t even need to wear clothes). I wonder how God must have felt as He looked into the eyes of the man and woman, He loved dearly, who had now betrayed Him. I can’t imagine the pain He went through to see His beautiful creation now tainted with sin.

This idea puts a new spin on how we view the “little” sins we practice daily without even blinking an eye.

A Flannel Frame of Mind

2010-08-23T10:40:00.000-07:00

I had the privilege of growing up hearing stories from the Bible like that of Adam, David, John, and Paul. I still remember walking into Sunday School to hear my elderly teacher Edna place flannel characters on the board as she talked about each one of them (David looked an awful lot like Paul, I think she had to recycle them sometimes). I never listened too carefully, but I got the gist of the stories of flannel giants falling because of flannel stones.

Though I had a jewel of a teacher, I never fully grasped the realism of these stories. Later when I’d hear the same story of David wrestling a bear, my mind would drift to a

pair of wrinkly hands placing recycled flannel characters on a green board (why were they always green?) But sit back and imagine yourself at a zoo or a campground. You see a man giving a huge bear the half nelson, then finishing him off with an uppercut to the face. I’d watch that over UFC any day.

Or think of the first man, Adam. A lonely guy who is looking for a mate, and at just about this time God gives him the task of naming all the animals who all have partners (ouch). If God didn’t march all the animals by Adam, then he must’ve set off on a pretty long journey of exploring and finding new species he’d never seen before. All of the sudden Adam turns from peach flannel with flannel leaves covering his flannel unmentionables to a guy like Steve Irwin, Charles Darwin (minus evolution of course), or Bear Grylls. Give this guy a show on the Discovery Channel.

As great as hearing Bible stories as a child is, I encourage you to reread some of those same stories. Take a moment and put yourself in their shoes. Would you have taken 100 years to build a boat, when you’ve never seen rain? Would you tell a country to follow you into a desert with no real tangible plan of where you’re going and what you’re going to do when you get there? When I first thought of David, I thought of a church boy who loved his harp...not a man who slaughtered thousands in battle (The movie 300 has got nothing on that!). Next time you sit down to read the Bible; listen to the character’s hearts, imagine their pain, their victories, and see their commitment. Who knows, the Bible may change from flannel characters to some pretty amazing people.

How far will you follow?

2010-08-12T08:59:00.001-07:00

Recently I just returned from my honeymoon in Maui. From jumping fences and swimming in waterfalls to snorkeling with God’s creation, it was a blast. However, at least for me nothing quite beat the little harbor/ whaling town of Lahaina. Almost every evening, my wife and I would grab something to eat and sit on the rock harbor wall and watch the surfers and the sailors return to shore as the sun dipped into the ocean.

I’ve never been one to enjoy visiting landmarks, especially in a place like Maui but something caught my eye

on one of the walks back to our car. The street sides were cluttered with various business, art galleries and restaurants; but sitting by itself I ran across a house in the middle of tourists mayhem. The plaque outside the house told the story of a man who graduated from Harvard Medical School who had a single mind for following God. Young Dr. Baldwin enrolled at a Missions agency but was turned down because he was single. Hearing this news, he found a girl who was turned down for the same reason and they married just weeks after meeting. Wow.

Yet the story continues... They board an old ship for Hawaii, a place known for danger more than luxery. Months later they dock at this harbor town. After a few years, Maui had it’s own clinic and school, but more importantly a society who knew the God who created their beautiful island. This man and his wife made such an impact on that culture that even in beautiful Maui, people still pay to go indoors to look at the Baldwin House.

This story brought encouragement with a bit of conviction. I tried to place myself in a guys shoes who couldn’t have been much older than me. A graduate of Harvard Medical School has a pretty lucrative future awaiting, yet this guy wasn’t distracted from living out God’s plan for his life. I can’t say I would do the same. I may have tried to get the best paying job and possibly send a small fraction to missions to ease my conscience.

I think the Christian community lacks people who won’t budge from their goal of honoring God with their lives. Instead, they like to tuck their Christianity away and bring it out to display on Sundays. I wonder what the universal church would look like if it were filled with people who had the same desire as Dr. Baldwin. Maybe the 21st century would then see who Christ really is. I firmly believe that the measure of one’s surrender is in direct proportion of their fulfillment and ultimately their success.

Perfection or Purpose?

2010-03-08T14:10:00.001-08:00

Following my senior year of high school I began working for a siding company. I was anticipating a summer of working outside, which would result in a nice tan, and building up the bank account. As I walked into the warehouse the first day I was assigned my partner as toothless, shaggy co-workers stood grinning. Little did I know I was to work with the Rambo of construction workers. Nonetheless, we drove off in a beat-up pick up truck to my first house that I would side. After an hour of driving we pulled up to a tall beautiful house on a hill. My partner, who was training me, told me to begin by ripping off the siding by hand. My first tug released a bat who had been hiding in the siding. Terrified I ran halfway down the hill. Rambo saw me sprinting for safety, shook his head and continued to his work. After a couple hours of bat filled fun, I spent the rest of my 10 hour day pleading to God to cure my fear of heights as I dragged metal sheets across 30 ft. tall scaffolding. About an hour before quit time I gashed my hand on a sheet metal knife and couldn’t stop it from bleeding. I asked if we had a first aid kit to wash out my cut. My partner just responded by grabbing my hand and wrapping it in duct tape then smiled. After my gorillaish nurse walked away I said under my breath "this wasn’t the job I signed up for."

Sadly, I find many Christians saying the same thing regarding their relationship with God. Life didn’t become the perfect fairly-tale they had dreamed of prior to their decision to follow Christ. This decision that was suppose to revolutionize all that was negative in their life turned out to be some sort of fluke.

I wonder what an infomercial would look like if Paul were selling this “Jesus Product”. “Before this Jesus Product I was a rich prestigious man with more power than you could imagine. Then I tried this Jesus Product, now granted it brought be temporary blindness but stay with me. Currently I’m in and out of prison. I find myself being beaten on a regular basis. I’m constantly fleeing for life. And on top of this, I could be a shipwreck expert. Try this Jesus Product today!” Nobody in their right mind would buy into this. Why should they?

Maybe our focus is a little off. God isn’t our God to give us the dream life. People who sign up for a safe life end up walking away frustrated and ultimately confused. God isn't in the habit of granting fairytale lives for his children, he'd rather give them purpose. He knows they’re all a messed up and broken people, and yet he uses them and gives them fulfillment just the same. The Christian life doesn’t promise an easy ride. In fact, taking up the cross involves a more difficult one. A purposeful life ends the way Christ's life ended: beaten, broken, bruised, totally worn out, yet completely satisfied that life was lived with purpose. The purpose: living for the one who breathed life into existence.

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

-Paul