...and a Happy New Year: Peace Overshadows Worry!

The Christmas holidays carry a weight that is paramount to almost any other time of year.

Individuals that experience the holidays for the first time without a significant member of their lives due to loss, families that experience financial strain to provide all that our children desire, and the general chaos that abounds with trying to balance work, family, and the holiday cheer.

And who could forget the most incredibly embarrassing moment we all try to avoid; wearing your tacky Christmas sweater to a non-tacky party!

So how do we successfully navigate the journey from a "Merry Christmas to a Happy New Year?"

Free your mind from worry!

In the Christmas narrative Mary and Joseph were both approached by an angel making a bold declaration of a miraculous birth. No doubt they were both shocked and in awe. Mary's response of "how can this be?" sheds light on just how quickly anxiety can begin to send one's emotions spiraling in so many different directions.

Once Mary and Joseph's nerves were settled and they listened more intently to the angel's speech they both chose to act in faith and receive the plan God had placed on their lives. Mary's humble response, "I am the Lord's servant, let it be done according to your word" seems to manifest an overwhelming peace that could only be provided to someone in complete surrender by Someone in total control.

Our lives are no different. Chaos constantly abounds. News given to us that we never would have asked for. Placed in a position to fret, worry, become anxious, and fearful. Yet, given the opportunity to simply reply "be it done according to your word" we begin to feel the weight of worry dissipate under the undeniable presence of God's peace.

Worry is simply the evidence of our doubt that God is not control. As if, by some chance, He doesn't have this. That maybe our situation has escaped Him or is beyond His control. Or maybe He doesn't have our best interest in mind.

So, in many instances, we begin to pull back the reigns, rake our chips back across the table, start devising our own plans for how we're going to make this better. And all the while, because we've been down this road before, we know that our plan will be insufficient, unsuccessful, or only provide temporary relief for the heartache heading in our direction apart from His intervention.

So, how do we gear up for a Happy New Year? Remember that God is transcendent; He's above space and time. Yet He is also imminent, ever drawing near. The Christmas story reminds us that by Jesus coming to earth there would be a new day dawning; a day when His peace would overshadow every worry in this world! Don't feel victimized or paralyzed by the fear, worry, or doubt that your circumstances create; let peace, His peace, rule your heart that you might have a Happy New Year!

...and a Happy New Year: Love Overshadows Hate!

Now that Christmas Day has come and gone and we are relishing in the new toys and gadgets we received from our favorite Santa figure, we are on to making our New Years' resolutions.

Whether this year was kind to us or one we hope will never be repeated, what can we do to ensure that this next year is a "Happy New Year?"

Free your heart from hate!

You may be inclined to say, "But I don't hate anybody or anything at the moment!" While this may be true, after some more serious reflection, I've learned not to respond so quickly.

I recently shared this thought from the Christmas story with a group of recovering addicts and individuals down on hard luck, "I think I'm more like King Herod than I really want to admit!"

Herod was the one wanting to kill baby Jesus. While the wise men and shepherds were being led by bright lights and bringing expensive gifts as an act of worship, Herod was devising a plan to ensure his kingdom would not be dismantled.

Seriously, how many of us feel our kingdoms being threatened by the presence of Jesus? Giving up this idealistic world of control, comfort, and convenience that we've harbored all to ourselves seems to be a foreign concept most of us are not willing to concede.

And because we feel our kingdoms being threatened we put up our defenses; rationalizing our own behavior and becoming judgmental toward others. And what grows out of those attitudes is envy, bitterness, and contempt that eventually leads to hate.

Now, we don't usually call it hate. We're much more refined than that. But whatever expletive you sense your heart screaming as you blunder into a heaping mess of life or stare at others as they snuggle up close to the life you've always wanted it becomes evident that it's not leading you down the path of your own happiness.

Very simply, here's my first New Year's resolution for all of us; know that love and forgiveness will rob hate of its power. Forgive yourself. You have a past. And so do I. We can't change that part of our story but we don't have to let it continue to cripple us moving forward.

Forgive others. Hurt people hurt people. We're human; imperfect people. Flailing our arms in the air screaming obscenities because life's not fair will not move us any closer to the happiness we desire.

But the essence of truth required to forgive ourselves and others is to realize that we've already been forgiven. The Christmas story isn't just about the happy experiences of Santa, family, meals, and presents. It's about that baby being born and the happy life that He would offer by establishing His forever kingdom!

No Average Joe: The Father of Jesus

He was told in a dream to retreat to a land where his ancestors were once enslaved with fear and degradation; Egypt. But why? That doesn't make any sense.

With no significant accomplishments, wealth, or titles to his name; Joseph was just a common, ordinary, Jewish laborer, a carpenter.

And while engaged to be married he found himself at odds with reason and fate. Mary was pregnant with someone else's child and according to the law he had every right to leave her, expose her, even have her stoned. Surely thoughts of betrayal, unfaithfulness, and selfishness flowed through his mind.

But there's something revealed about Joseph that can easily be missed if not read carefully. The Bible says he was a righteous man. So he decided to put her away secretly; not to expose or extinguish her. His decision was endowed with dignity and respect.

But in a moment of contemplation an angel appeared to him in a dream and declared that he not divorce her but in fact marry her, name the baby Jesus, and step into the role of becoming the step-father of the Savior of the world. And Joseph obeyed. Why? Because he was righteous. Not just a rule follower or a law abider but righteous.

Again an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream to depart from Bethlehem to Egypt to escape the evil intent of King Herod whose kingdom felt threatened by the presence of Jesus.

Twice more an angel appeared to Joseph to part ways with their current home in an effort to fulfill the Scriptures by moving from Egypt to Israel to Nazareth.

According to Matthew's Gospel that's about the extent of Joseph's involvement in the Christmas story; a righteous man being visited by an angel four times and each time, he obeyed. When his actions would have been justified to put Mary away; he chose to trust and obey. When he could have claimed a hardship on traveling to other cities, he chose to trust and obey.

Joseph, the step-father of Jesus, accepted his role in the background so the bright lights could shine all around the lead role of Jesus coming into the world. He simply did what the righteous should do; he did the right thing, at the right time, for the right reason.

How can we be more like Joseph? When life offers us opportunities to live in judgment of others' actions or fear of God's calling we must learn to be wise and choose to do what's right. It's not always easy or attractive but it always puts the focus on the greater story being told; not our story but the story of Jesus.

Important Decisions

Who should I marry? Where should I live? Where should my kids go to school? What career path should I choose? How should I invest my money? When should I retire?

These are legitimate questions that oftentimes do not provide clear cut answers. So how do we approach making important decisions like these and others?

I generally try to incorporate these three guiding principles when making significant decisions in my life; pray, weigh the pros and cons, and seek godly counsel.

Prayer signifies my dependence on the spirit of God and my desire to have the steady current of my faith fueling the decision making process. The leading voice and the highest priority of my life should be God's Word. 

Weighing the pros and cons is an attempt to assure that my decisions aren't based solely on my heart and emotions. If I know me, my emotions can become misguided and blur my vision in a way that I chase people, places, and dreams that God never intended for me to pursue.

Seeking godly counsel is simply asking for others to confirm or deny what they see as my passions and pitfalls, and how making this decision could be a wise or harmful move for me to make. I know that I need accountability in my life so that I'm not constantly choosing my own path based on preferences, conveniences, or self-gratifying results.

While many of the decisions we make aren't necessarily cut and dry, black and white decisions we must learn to seek the wisdom and discernment necessary to consider the implications of those decisions. Insightful decision making will create an awareness for us to respond more appropriately when life doesn't happen as we had planned.

Let your decisions be made with God's Word, a steady mind, and the voice of trusted friends. Making decisions isn't about following your heart; it's about following God's heart for your life. With every decision made, live like it's the right decision made at the right time for the right reason. God will honor our attempts at humble, righteous decision making with loads and loads of grace.

Ready and Willing!

"Ready or not, here I come!" 

My son loves playing hide and seek. It doesn't matter if we're in the house, outside, or at Walmart. Of course I have to remind him not to get out of sight in public places. I would hate to forfeit any "Father of the Year" honors by being called on the intercom to report to the home and garden center, register nine, or the customer service desk. 

So the counting begins. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5...When finally reaching my numerical destination,  I set out to discover him in the unique hiding place under the same pile of clothes I was in only moments before. 

But sometimes when I finish counting and recite the familiar line, "Ready or not, here I come," he begins to scream, "Dad, I'm not ready!" 

He's more than willing to play the game but he's not quite ready for the game to begin. So he says, "Dad, start over!" In his quest to find the most optimal position his indecisive spirit leaves him squandering in the dregs of open spaces.   

And this is the place I find myself with God. Willing but not quite ready! 

I'm convinced I need more time, more training, more clarity. I need one more fleece, one more burning bush, one more talking donkey. One more supernatural expression of His presence rather than just trusting the surge of His Spirit on my heart. 

I'm trapped between sitting down and taking a step. Trapped between fear and courage. Trapped between rebellion and obedience. Trapped between trusting my flesh and His spirit in me.

Here's what I hear God saying right now, "Ready or not, here I come!" Yes, there's uncertainty. Yes, I would like more time. Yes, I would like the path to be more clear. But that's what makes it a real test of faith. Taking the leap, making the jump, beginning the journey. 

God is at work and He's asking us to join Him. He's not asking if we're ready; He's simply asking us to be willing to take this leap of faith and trust Him with our steps!

Walk by faith

"Walk by faith!"

I've seen this phrase penned across coffee mugs. Written on bright colored posters hanging on the wall. I've even seen it tattooed on someone walking barefoot in the sand.

The problem is, for those of us who sing its praises, we rarely live up to its hype. Instead, we find ourselves walking by fear, compulsion, or apathy.

We treat life like we're walking on egg shells; full of fear and scared to death of our future. 

We treat life like we're driving a steam roller; domineering control of our circumstances. 

We treat life like we are running through a field of lilies; showing no regard for purpose and vision.

Life happening right or being good is not all riding on our shoulders. There can never be a "100% satisfaction guaranteed" warranty placed on this journey we're making from earth to eternity when we place that responsibility completely on ourselves.

God is fine with vision, ambition, and discernment. But when we abandon this truth, the belief that no matter what "God's got this," then we cease to walk by faith. He wants us to be wise and well prepared, not foolish. He wants us to be flexible and open minded, not stubborn or insincere. He wants us to be confident and full of courage, not timidly hiding in fear. 

But what He wants most of all is for us to surrender ourselves to His plan and trust Him with our steps. It doesn't have to be figured out and it doesn't have to be set in stone. It's simply placing our life open-handedly into His.

When the foreseeable outcome isn't evident then our awareness for faith, a confident hope in a proven God worthy of our trust, is heightened. So let your next step, whether big or small, simply be a step of faith. 

 

How Much Does it Cost?

New toys, new wardrobes, new cars, new houses. Each of these items bear an attraction, level of entertainment, comfort, and beauty that cause us to actively pursue them without much reservation.

Without question, our eyes become enlarged and our hearts pump tirelessly in anticipation of receiving these kinds of possessions. However, it seems instead of considering it's worth we resort to this question, "How much does it cost?"

Sure, that's a legitimate question. If we don't have the resources to make the purchase then we simply look with envy at those who do. And it's in that moment that we move from asking "What's it cost?" to "What's it worth?"

Jesus tells a story in the Bible about a man who found a treasure in a field. He sold everything he had to purchase the field because of the excitement that awaited his purchase. The worth of his new prize far outweighed the cost required to receive it.

Jesus is making a very simple request, "Follow Me." And we are forced to weigh in the balance the cost and the worth, the risk and the reward. And too often, the cost outweighs the worth in our misguided view of what we consider to be a full and happy life.

Don't be mistaken while this two phrase request is simple, it's not easy. Denying yourself pleasures, conveniences, and having things your own way. It's not a promise to remove the difficulties and strains of your finances or relationships. But it is a promise to have peace and joy to endure the circumstances that this life brings.

The beauty and worth of Jesus is incomparable to all that this world has to offer. Sure, financial stability, relational peace, and moments of entertainment are reassuring and relaxing but there is a level of trust to be placed in Jesus that this world cannot provide. Choose Jesus. He is more valuable than the treasure found in any field. He provides for you what no one and nothing else can; true life.

Stranger Danger

Last week was Halloween. And all the well-meaning, responsible adults who were premiering for "Parent of the Year" honors took time to instill two very important principles into their little costumed heroes, princesses, and zombies.

The night was adorned by little minions dressed in fine apparel running through neighborhoods collecting candy in their pumpkins, plastic bags, or pillow cases. And our words to them as they stepped off the edge of our flat-bed trailer hay ride or out of the side door of our mini van, "Don't forget to say thank you!"

I love what comedian Bob Smiley said about trick-or-treating. "I use this holiday as an opportunity to teach my kids about the government collections agency. When they come home, I take 50%. But just in case you think that's unfair, I am providing free healthcare."

Then, there's this other rule, sometimes spoken and other times assumed, "Don't take candy from strangers!" This reminds me of the Saturday Night Live skit with Edward Norton about the police officer making a school visit to teach proper trick-or-treat etiquette.

But why is it so essential to instill these two ideals; to say thank you and don't talk to strangers?

There's something inside of me that feels like I should violate the premise of both of these principles. That I should learn to be a giver more than a taker. That my vocabulary should include "you're welcome" more often than "thank you." That talking to strangers in an effort to close gaps and build bridges is more beneficial than staring awkwardly at people who don't look, act, or dress like me.

I'm a parent so I totally understand the need to provide safety and security for our children. So, I am not saying we send them out into a world full of wolves unguarded or unaware. But what I am saying is that it is my responsibility to teach my child to reflect the character of Jesus. That by serving others we want to see people from all walks of life connect to life in Christ.

Love Your Neighbor

"Love your neighbor as yourself."

Why didn't he say, "love your neighbor like you love your family, your job, your hobby, or your favorite pastime?" He could have named anything under the sun, yet he chose to say 'as yourself.'

Because He knows just how much, albeit often misrepresented, we really do love ourselves.

Think about it. We know us better than anyone else in this world; even with all the good, the bad, and the ugly parts of us, we choose to love us anyway.

We accentuate our strengths. We highlight our successes through various platforms. We give ourselves "shout-outs" and "hashtags" and place the best we have on all of our social media outlets. It's evident to those around us what we consider to be highlight worthy moments in our life.

We abbreviate our weaknesses. We often neglect mentioning our shortcomings and pitfalls. Those miscalculated efforts resulting in failure are often conveniently left out of stories at the office or dinner table. Our comparison game with others is usually made with those who we deem as inferior to our extraordinary skills.

We accelerate our passions. Passions, be it our relationships, hobbies, or other forms of entertainment, are placed on the forefront of our list of priorities. The personal pleasures we experience are constantly being placed on the mantle of our passions, praises, and prizes.

We accommodate our schedules. Busyness has become the new normal. It's as if to say that busyness equals popularity or productivity. We're constantly searching for the next measure of meaningfulness, denying one person's proposition for 'more important' invitations from new acquaintances. We're constantly making a barrage of appointments to ramp up our level of importance.

Loving ourselves in unhealthy ways can be prideful, arrogant, and selfish. But loving others with the love we once held for ourselves can create healthy, humble communities.

What God wants us to do is place others ahead of ourselves. Lift others up. Give grace to their imperfections. Make time for developing relationships. Build bridges to help them reach their potential.

We will never love others the way God intended until we first recognize the love He has for us. In the midst of His perfection lies our depravity. Yet He sees us as important. He has placed a priority on us above His own convenience. And our willingness to reciprocate His unwavering love becomes a catalyst for the new found love we can now have for others.

Like a Child

He laughs. He cries. He begs. He expects. Very seldom does he worry. The credence of this child, his innate dependence upon his father, is deeply woven into the fabric of his soul.

Where do we lose this sense of dependence and begin to wander into the world of independence and self-reliance? The place where we no longer needs others' advice or assistance. The place where life experiences have convinced, perhaps deceived, us into believing we've arrived on some stalwart plank absent of any defect.

Here's the place I find myself retreating; to a place of arrogance. As if I've become the means to my own end. A far cry from the child reaching out for the outstretched hand of his father. Or the cynicism that casts doubt over acts of kindness because of this ego-centric world where we live. That somehow everyone has become motivated by self-interests rather than risking their own conveniences for the sake of another.

And when God confronts my misplaced and suspicious tendencies to believe such lies, He leads me back to this conclusion; "How much more will your heavenly Father give to those who ask him!" In moments of desperation, knowing my soul needs to be connected and conformed to this trustworthy source, God is reaching into time and space with promises to meet me in my mess.

It's in those moments, those God-sized moments, that I'm humbled. I realize that not only do I need Him but He cherishes me as His child. I'm hopeful. In spite of my past and oftentimes even my present circumstances, I can trust Him. I'm learning to see life through the lens of unrivaled grace pronounced over me by the most amazing and loving Father I could ever know.

And, so, God is calling me to be more like 'him' and more like 'Him.' He wants me to come to Him in the way of a child, humble and hopeful. And as I continually listen to the gentle whispers of His voice over my soul I am becoming more aware of His presence and see His character taking shape in my own life.

Football Season is Here!

Football season is here! For many people in the South, football is god!

I can remember standing on the sidelines and hearing the chant, "Know what to do and DO IT!"

Players and coaches spent countless days in the weight room, watched numerous hours of game film, and trained their bodies and minds for the play calls in practice all to prepare themselves for the physical war under the "Friday Night Lights."

Every routine play and even the trick plays were rehearsed in practice. How could the result not be a 1st down? They can repeat the opponents' play calling in their sleep. How could they not get a defensive stop on 3rd and long?

Life is no different. There's a coach, a playbook, a team, and an opponent. What on earth could de-rail our team from experiencing optimal success? Two things; ignorance and apathy.

So, ignorance is simply not knowing what to do. There are many reasons a player may fail to do the right thing, but he cannot do what he does not know. Maybe he was distracted. Maybe he was absent. Maybe he just didn't understand the play being called. Nevertheless, his inability to fulfill his obligation to the team left him wavering in the ranks of irresponsible behavior.

Apathy is refusing to do something in light of knowing the routine and the results. This player knows the responsibility of the position but is choosing to act independently of those expectations. Pride, inconvenience, or a lack of self control are often indicators leading to apathy. And apathetic tendencies always lead to results that are off course.

How do we overcome two of the most fundamental flaws of any team?

It's simple; obedience. We refuse to be ignorant; we choose to learn and become a student of the game. We refrain from apathy; our responsibility to this team trumps any rights we believe we have as an individual. We submit ourselves to the authority of leadership, to the unity of this team, and to the plausibility of its practices to develop a more cohesive design for success in this game.

This statement, "Know what to do and do it," is more than the MO for a sports team; it's the MO for God's army in the war we face in life. James 4:17 states, "Whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin." The only way we can guarantee victory over the struggles in life is to identify the voice of our commander and obey with unwavering vigor and resolve!

All Things Work Together

How can we believe that "all things work together for good" when life seems so unfair?

Doctor's reports and death certificates all indicate terrible circumstances yet God is supposed to be working "all things together for good."

First of all, define good. Is good supposed to be comfortable? Pleasant? Enjoyable? Does our definition of good really correlate to God's definition?

Consider the rest of the phrase, "to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose."

What if we consider a different sequence for this statement? What if we realized that before seeing everything as working together for our good that we were actually called according to God's purpose? When our perspective for why we're here has clarity then our perspective for what's good will make more sense.

God's purpose for our lives is not just some spiritual semblance of heaven but it's a loving relationship with Him and His people on earth. And He's asking us to reciprocate that love with Him through surrendering our lives to His mission.

When our calling is clear and our love is shared then our journey, even the obstacles, setbacks, and disappointments, can be seen as a stepping stone that is shaping our character to be more like Jesus.

God's goal for our life is not for us to see good through the lens of human gratification; rather, His goal for us is to see good through the lens of spiritual transformation. Trials and triumphs co-exist to place an exclamation mark on the sovereign hand of God in our lives. He's making all things work together for good on the canvas of His eternal purposes!

Giving

He was fumbling through his sock drawer; frantic. With his mom's frustration rising, tears began welling up in his eyes as he said, "Mom, I'm looking for money to buy bricks!"

Our church's capital campaign, the BOLD Initiative, is making an attempt to build platforms to connect people from all walks of life to life in Christ. There are specific goals being generated but the end game for such a risk is the church acting in faith believing that God will be glorified by our unwavering obedience.

Considering stories from the Bible like a boy's loaves and fish and a widow's mite our church is being challenged to consider a BOLD offering that would propel the name of Christ forward and deepen the faith of its members.

The mantra of our church's BOLD Initiative is "Our boldest moments are our best moments." So, whether we're giving our money or our time how do we guarantee that we are giving God our BEST moments?

Give generously. Gratitude breeds generosity. When we're convinced we have been given much we will be more prone to give. We must learn to be thankful for what we have but we must realize that our stock is simply on loan. Loosening our grip on our most valuable possessions will always be an indicator of a life marked by generosity.

Give sacrificially. "Give until it hurts." The problem is we're not very tolerant to pain. The slightest discomfort often causes us to tighten the bolts on our pocketbooks. Financial stability is a blanket of security; the opposite of risk and sacrifice. Sacrificial giving increases our faith, utilizing God's intervention in our circumstances to advance His kingdom purposes.

Give joyfully. Gifts given begrudgingly rob us of the joy meant to be garnered for our obedience. Giving in pretense or reluctance forfeits genuine gladness of heart. When we treasure the Giver more than the gift we realize our treasure is stored in heaven, not in earthly accounts. Giving with a smile on our face will ultimately put a smile on His!

Giving money, our hard-earned money, can make indelible marks on our lives and bank accounts. Pushing back on the pressure to give makes sense. After all, it's ours isn't it? Yet, God has called us to leverage our resources for a much higher purpose than our pleasure and entertainment. Giving a gift seems to be a small price to pay in light of the incomparable riches of knowing that our faith and obedience is becoming a cataclysmic force in the kingdom purposes of God.

What a Day!

Last weekend was a blast! My family celebrated Labor Day and the always epic 1st day of kindergarten. Really, it was like a taste of heaven!

For as long as I can remember our family has always marked Labor Day as a time for the outdoors. With guns propped against hay bales in the middle of a field we find ourselves drenched with sweat, drinking Mountain Dew, eating Swiss Cake rolls, waiting for birds to fly overhead. With the sound of shotgun blasts we watch as birds fall from the sky like manna from heaven (insert laughter here for those who've been dove hunting before).

As the weekend began to wane into the not-so-distant past, Tuesday came like a jolt of Red Bull to the likes of my son's 1st day of kindergarten. What joy and sadness packaged in that ride across town! The moment we all simultaneously wait for and wish never happened. The story seems so familiar as the outstretched hand of his mother slowly separated from his and he began his journey down the hall as both fought back tears with new found bravery to face the unknown.

Here's the picture we're painting for the world to see; show the best and hide the rest! There are parts of our lives we want to put on display for the rest of the world to see. We Facebook it. We tweet it. We put it on Instagram. But there are parts of our lives we would rather keep hidden in dark spaces. We hide it. We ignore it. We even lie about it.

I'm learning that God wants to expose everything. Really, God? Is that necessary? Showing the best, I'm fine with that. But the ugly parts, let's just forget about that. Let's leave that in the cellar of times gone by.

He wants to expose the satisfaction we find in His creation. He wants to expose the joy we find in the relationships we are building with others. He wants to expose the fear we experience in unfamiliar territory. He wants to expose the insecurities we see peering through the mirror as we try to measure up to others.

He wants to expose our imperfections. Our insufficiencies. Our baggage. Our scars. Because He knows that then and only then can we begin to see Him as perfect. Sufficient. Burden bearer. Healer.

Here's my prayer today. Father, expose the dark spaces of my heart. Remind me that my measuring stick in life is not my neighbor; it's your Son. In the loving way that only you can, point out my shortfalls with your hand gently pressed against mine to remind me that you will not abandon me. Let me live in the satisfying love and forgiveness that only comes through the sacrifice of your Son. Teach me to be grateful for the life that can only be found in You!
 

Loosen Your Grip

Clinched fists. White knuckles. Death grip. Holding on.

With every bit of strength I had, there I was, suspended from a rock wall considering my next move to make it successfully to the peak of my climb. Knowing that a slight mis-step could leave me falling into the abyss of blue and yellow foam cubes.

This was no time for fear, fatigue, or failure. My son's watching!

Isn't it amazing how experiences in life can so easily penetrate and encapsulate our minds as a small and subtle message for our spiritual journey?

Climbing this rock wall was to become my success story. The death grip that I had placed on the edges of those rocks, the position where I had locked my feet for safety, the ambition to swing out over the face of those ledges. It was my ability and unwavering commitment to prove victorious. For what? All for the applause and adulation of my son?

There have been so many times that I've placed my white knuckle grip on what I consider to be mine; time, money, possessions, relationships, success, without ever fully understanding that it's all simply borrowed gifts from the Giver.

Selfish. Greedy. Prideful. Arrogant. The curse has caused me to fuel my own ego with toxic thoughts leading me to chase empty illusions. To really believe that the harder I try and the more tightly I cling to what's mine would somehow leave me satisfied.

It's all a lie. This world and all that it offers, no matter how hard it tries, will never fully satisfy. And it was never God's plan for us to find complete satisfaction in what He's created. It's simply meant to point us to the Giver Himself!

And God is not relenting to make His point or prove His purpose. Loosening our grip on all that we have will always fare better than God prying our fingers from what He has shared. God is giving to make Himself known! Pursue the Giver more than the gift!

Love God's Way

Tattered clothes. Feeble bodies. Hungry stomachs. Runny noses. We visited site after site hoping to change the inevitable outcome of literally hundreds of children through the vast knowledge and incalculable resources of American wealth.

Anticipation to change the world crashed on the shore of hesitation. In theory, it all made sense that we could offer a major change for the lives of these small gifts of God. But reality was being shaped by my own tumultuous heart.

Each morning we left our humble abode atop the mountainous region of Kijabe, trekking through the region hoping to leave the fingerprints of God on places that were destitute and full of dismal atrocities caused by poverty and hopelessness.

Playing games with children. Praying over patients. Even laying the foundation for a school. I found myself walking beside people who at first sight seemed so vastly different only to realize we all had the same Creator and design; we were all a desperate people in need of a Savior.

There is no question that the sites and sounds of nearly two weeks in a foreign country brought an overwhelming range of emotions. Laughing, crying, and even moments of fatigue and impatience all surrounded our thinly worn bodies and minds as we chose to exert every ounce of energy in being present with our new neighbors.

But here lies my greatest regret and most heartfelt confession. In all the excitement of new adventures and the fatigue of pouring myself into others, I found myself loving with reservation. I know. I know. The epitome of the Christian faith is unconditional love but in those moments I felt myself holding back. It was as if my love tank was being strangled by sweltering heaps of undue reciprocity. It was sin-stricken thoughts of "What are you going to do for me?" that came like a flood causing an internal anguish of the soul.

Near the trip's end, when our team was discussing our most memorable moments and the most difficult story for which we would remember, I couldn't shake this horrific sight. It wasn't the glaring needs of children in poverty. It wasn't the unsettled nature of women prostituting themselves to send their children to school. It was my bout with choosing to love unconditionally. A war that, by my own admission, I was losing.

But God would not settle for His son to be defeated. Rather, He saw me in a state of brokenness and chose to redeem the circumstances by placing me in the ring once again with an opportunity to revive this regenerating spirit of love. Not with a foreigner, not on foreign soil, not in front of a crowd. But with one person, in a familiar place, with a familiar face.

Weak. Hurting. Helpless. Uncomfortable. I was welcomed home by my son, normally full of energy and spunk, stricken with a virus that left him motionless and groaning in the arms of his father. There were no reciprocating actions of love. It was just me weighing my love in the balance; with no conditions. And it was in those moments that I was reminded of the prayer I offered only days before, "Lord, please forgive my unloving heart and let me redeem the moment of loving again without condition; loving the way you love me!"

I know my love could never match the amazing love of my heavenly Father but holding my son in those moments gave me a glimpse of the posture He holds for us and the posture He desires that I would hold for the least of these in this world that He's created. A love without reservation; unconditional love!

My Next Adventure

Trains, planes, boats, and automobiles. We all alike have experienced one or all of these modes of transportation; very likely taking us to a place of excitement and adventure, drudgery and complaint, or monotony and routine.

Some or all of these vehicles will be used to transport me and my small bag of belongings to a place that will seem halfway around the world. In just a few short days I will board a plane in Atlanta to begin my trek to Africa.

"Why Africa?" you ask.

Because I'm confident that life has greater meaning than simply consuming all the forms of entertainment I can get my hands on here in my little world of the southeastern United States.

Don't misunderstand me. My summer has consisted of some amazing memories created with family and friends; beaches and ball parks, mountains and museums, statues and swimming pools. But I do not want to cheapen what I consider to be my primary purpose in life.

So what is my purpose?

Very simply, my purpose is to recognize and respond to these three ideas; God has called me, God has promised me, God is equipping me.

I was once on a path moving quickly in the wrong direction but God rescued me. I wasn't pursuing Him or working my way toward Him or dialing His number. But He called me. And when I answered, He saved me.

He didn't promise that this life would be easy, that I would see instantaneous success, or that all the chips would fall my way. But He made me a promise; I will be with you. Faithful. Committed. Present. With me. More specifically, in me.

He's taking the good, the bad, and the ugly to shape me into a better version of the artwork He desires. He's equipping me. He's giving me a perspective of life that will allow me to empathize with others and share the grace and goodness of God with them as they walk through various trials and struggles that this life continues to dispense.

So, in just a few short days, I will board a plane in the States and begin my journey to Africa. I will join the Love Africa Mission team as we travel to Kenya to serve the people of Kijabe with open minds, hearts, and hands.

While we're there we will have the opportunity to meet children and adults in the hospitals, visit with families in their homes, and read Bible stories to once orphaned children at Naomi's Village. Ultimately, we want to share the love and grace of Jesus Christ with a world who desperately needs to see most clearly the Father's love.

The Break Up

I remember like it was yesterday; the break up. Candy machine rings, origami laden love notes, and tireless telephone calls seemed to dissipate into oblivion.

How naïve a 10 year old could be when his grade school girlfriend was headed to junior high? A heart once melted by her long standing pony tail was now filled with fury toward boys with facial hair.

Why is the break-up so difficult to bear?

The past always seems more glamorous than it really was. Seriously. We scratch our heads and wonder what went wrong. We never fought, argued, or disagreed. Every date was heavenly; eternal bliss. Or so we thought.

The present always seems more painful than it really is. Contemplating our very existence we begin searching for a reason just to live. Looking to that relationship to 'complete me,' we now feel lost and desperate for something to numb the pain.

The future always seems for more fearful than it really will be. This is our new lot in life; single. We place a label on our lives as if we'll never measure up, be good enough, or find our true soul mate.

The truth is, God is asking us to initiate the break-up. And the sad reality, we've so glamorized this relationship that we've ignored his blatant appeal to get out. We're confident that nothing could be better. We've become so familiar with this setting that we're unwilling to escape what we know to be an unhealthy place for ourselves.

And this is why so many people will never enter the relationship God is calling us to engage. Because we're content to believe that dating ourselves is far more appealing, far more satisfying, and far more rewarding than the relationship He's inviting us to consider.

The glamour of pride and selfishness, dating myself if you will, has only masked the damning effects of separating myself from Christ. But the pain of breaking-up is necessary to see the distance between me and the one who holds the greatest affection for me.

The break-up will always be a difficult cross to bear. But it's one that's worth any amount of pain to sustain a life of commitment, submission, and obedience to the greatest lover of all; Jesus, the one who gave His life for me. He will always grant the faith necessary to trust His faithfulness.

Sin is Fun

She saw that it "was good for food, a delight to the eyes, and was to be desired to make one wise."

In a moment of complete vulnerability she abandoned what she knew to be true to appease her craving for a moment of ecstasy. The fruit of that tree would certainly satisfy her appetite. It was appealing; dressed in shimmering colors of majestic goodness.

Who are we kidding to say sin isn't fun? Craig Groeschel says, "if sin isn't fun then you must not be doing it right." Sin is fun...for a season.

Most of us have either become disgusted by such behavior or we've indulged in it ourselves. It either sickens us that others seem to benefit from manipulative deception or we've become a pawn in this masquerade of lucrative living.

"Then the eyes of both of them were opened."

Andy Stanley says, "Sin always comes pre-packaged with a penalty." You cannot do what you want without the interference of its inseparable consequences.

"They sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths."

They believed the lie, justified their actions, and blamed others for their mistake. Then, they made a poor attempt to redeem the situation with what would eventually disintegrate under the elements of shameful living.

Our rebellion can always be traced back to our attempt to out-maneuver God's design for our ultimate happiness. But as one pastor said, "Sin will always take you further than you wanted to go, cost you more than you wanted to pay, and keep you longer than you wanted to stay."

"God made for Adam and his wife garments of skin and clothed them."

However, the most incredible result of our rebellion is not the temporary satisfactions of our wayward living or the overwhelming shame of our distress, but the excruciating path God is willing to travel to reconcile us back to Himself; even the death of His son.

Life is More than a Game!

Life is a game. Life is a test. Life is a journey.

Absolutely! We can make one or all of these metaphors resonate with the various stages of our life.

But if there's anything I've learned in life it's this; sometimes the world's antics can sabotage our thinking in a way that allows its subtle messages to rob us of the fullness of life that we were meant to live.

I'm convinced that God's design for the human frame is to acknowledge Him as the greatest prize in life and that our pursuit of Him should become our greatest priority. And I'm also convinced that He intends for us to make this journey together with those whom we've built healthy relationships nurtured by strong convictions, similar interests, and shared experiences.

Absence will not make the heart grow fonder. 
A life void of God's presence will not engage a heart full of life and purpose. If anything it will cause our heart to deceptively chase empty illusions. A life of isolation keeps the secrets of our past hidden deep within our heart where they continue to gnaw away at the potential for growth and security.

Silence doesn't strengthen our relationships.
Communication simultaneously holds the greatest value and the greatest risk for developing our relationships with God and others. God longs to hear from us and He is desperate to share His love with us. Our silence only perpetuates the confusion for a loving and secure relationship that we all desire.

Distance doesn't merge, it only divides. 

Choosing to separate ourselves from God sends the message that we can independently control the outcomes of our own situations; dividing our allegiance between Him and our idols. Creating space will simply press a wedge more firmly between us and those whom we truly desire to know and be known.

Make time.
Living a life full of selfish desires, filling all of your time to please yourself, will leave you empty and void of meaningful experiences with others. The greatest gift we can ever give God and others is our time.

Create space.
Our jobs, schedules, and hobbies bombard us in a way that we feel the weight pressing in on our soul that we feel robbed of our rest. We must learn to build into our routines the little moments of space where we can breathe and simply "be."

Plant stakes. 
The common denominator for cultivating healthy relationships is memorializing significant moments as shared experiences with others.There have been moments in both my relationship with God and with others where I've planted stakes in the ground to remember as significant moments that I choose never to forget.

Capture the Flag

I can remember one of my favorite childhood games being "Capture the Flag." There's something about running around in the dark, being in stealth mode, proving my own form of bravery, that made me swell with pride. No guy ever admitted, at least not out loud, that he was scared of the dark or didn't want to sharpen his cavalier skills of trekking through the moon-lit landscape.

There are two instances I can distinctly remember. One instance was being in the mountains playing "Capture the Flag" when our group leaders concocted a plan to scare all of us pre-teens with threats of wild hogs and bear in the woods. Our game quickly became survival mode as we attempted to outrun the rest of our team back to the base camp before being eaten alive by wild, ravenous animals.

There was another time, and I'm sure this happens all too frequently, when once the flag was sighted it was constantly being designated for re-assignment making it nearly impossible to find and retrieve to declare a winner to our game.

Now that I'm older and trying to make some kind of connection between childhood memories and current reality, the more I realize just how much those games were attempting to teach me about life.

In life it's so easy to cower down to the pressures of my environment that I throw in the towel and quit. The noises of those beasts, those demons, from my past are causing me to fear my current position. I'm making a mad dash for places of comfort and security when I know full well that I need to be on the front lines navigating this journey.

I'm constantly making waves on this adventure that are rocking my own course because every time I set the pace for a new adventure I become easily distracted, bored, or exhausted and change the course of my destination. Its often to a place where the flag is more easily attainable or accessible, sometimes more visible so others will applaud my accomplishments.

Even in my faith, I play this "Capture the Flag" game with God. He's really called me to a place of surrender; a place where I would trust Him and release all control into His care. And too often I run away from the places He's calling me because of fear of my own circumstances or the improbable chance that He may not be present when I most need Him to be there.

Other times I find myself reeling my flag of surrender up the pole of His will yet only moments later rushing it back down as if I'm only teasing Him with unyielding obedience. And still He patiently awaits for my heart to be re-calibrated back to the place where He is.

Capture the Flag is not just some childhood game; it's a reminder that the flag of my surrender must be captured by an affection for the One who is pursuing me. God has not inclined Himself to be passive in my life; He is actively moving in my direction desiring that I give Him all-access to my doubts, dreams, fears, and goals. He is the Victorious Warrior in this life of Capture the Flag!

The Life of a Prodigal

"I hate you!"

"I don't want to stay here anymore!"

"I'm leaving!"

Words no one ever wants to hear but words that slipped through the cracks of a broken heart and a disappointing past.

I had screamed those words at my parents as I packed my duffle bag full of video games, a change of clothes, and a pack of Little Debbies.

They had denied me a privilege that I was certain I was entitled to receive. And what was worse? They let me pack my bags and begin the hike out the driveway and down the road without hesitation.

What were they thinking?

There was no begging me to stay! No coercion or manipulation! Just a heart melting under the heat of my insincere and selfish rants of disappointment. Waiting.

All of us, at some time in our lives, have done this. We've thrown a fit in the middle of the cereal aisle. We've screamed at friends and family. We've ranted on social media assuring the world that our voices would be heard.

My childhood tantrum and my parents' loving and somewhat unsuspecting response leads me to ponder another familiar story in the Bible.

It's the story of the "Prodigal Son." It's a son who demands his inheritance before the death of his father. When he squanders all his wealth on worldly living and finds himself literally in the 'muck and mire' of a pig's pen, he decides to make a plea of desperation.

But before he could speak one word of the apology he had hoped to recite, the "Prodigal Father" lavishly placed the finest clothes, feast, and title on this young boy. "You are my son!" Wow!

We're just like the son. We're quick to point fingers, place blame, scream obscenities about how unfair life has been, and run recklessly in the wrong direction. Then, when we find ourselves in the pit of despair and sorry for our mistake-ridden past, we attempt to fix our mess all on our own.

God the Father, just like my parents and just like the prodigal's father, is waiting. He doesn't need our apologies as much as he needs our attention. He will let us say the despicable and do the unthinkable only to create a greater awareness of our need for him.

Seriously, how long were the video games, a change of clothes, and some Debbie Cakes going to sustain me? How long will doing this our own way really last?

The Father is waiting. He's watching. And he's simply counting down the seconds to make an all out sprint in your direction, while you are "still a long way off!"

God is Great

God is great, God is good...

Without fail, my son quotes the remaining lines of this child-like prayer offering his vow of thanks for every meal. Sure, it's sweet to hear him say this prayer and we all say thank you and good job and such a posture of faith.

But aren't we just like him, mechanical in our acts of giving thanks, peeking out of one eye just to see if everybody else is nice and neatly bowing with reverence amidst our religious routines? 

The "God is great, God is good" routine will always suffice to the average onlooker. But it makes its greatest appeal to the ones who have surpassed the gentle prayers around the dinner table to desperate pleas around hospital beds, cancer patient rooms, counselor's chairs, and homemade altars. 

It's in those moments that we've placed God on the stand to test his goodness. Can the God who made the stars involve Himself in the daily routines or even the emergency situations of my life? If I call His name, will He answer? 

One of the songs at the top of my iTunes playlist is Kristian Stanfill's "The Lord our God" that says:

Promise Maker, Promise Keeper

You finish what you begin

Our provision through the desert

You see it through til the end

In the silence, in the waiting

Still we can know you are good

All your plans are for your glory

Yes, we can know you are good

The Lord our God is ever faithful

Never changing through the ages

From this darkness you will lead us

And forever we will say 

You're the Lord our God 

God's goodness shouldn't rest on whether He detours our journey away from the desert places in life. His goodness shouldn't rest in His decision to let His silence deafen us to a place of desperation. His goodness is certain no matter our circumstances because He cannot deny Himself. 

 

What we must learn to see is that "He will see it through to the end" and "all His plans are for His glory." He will not leave us feeling abandoned forever. He will always remain faithful to Himself. Yes we can know you are good! 

Do You Love Me?

"I love your blue eyes and your beautiful smile."

"You are so sweet. (Pause) Can I ask you a question, do you love me?"

"Yes, I love you."

"How do you know?"

"I just know."

"But how do you know? What are you willing to do to prove it? Can you show me?"

Pause.

Did you see that? Without even realizing it, the conversation immediately went from "tell me" to "show me." 

(Pardon the illustration that appears to breed a moment of romance)

Remember the story of Jesus and Peter on the shore following a wearisome few days after Jesus's death and resurrection? Many of the disciples, including Peter, returned to their former trade of fishing when Jesus approached them on the banks of the sea.

The conversation between Peter and Jesus must have been so intense. "It's Jesus, it's really Him" he must have thought as he cast himself into the sea and began to swim to the shore. In the midst of the conversation Jesus asked Peter three times, "Do you love me?" 

How irritating it must have been as he continually responded in the affirmative. Three times. Three times Jesus asked him this. Surely there was no irony in Peter's three previous denials of Jesus the night before His crucifixion.

Feed my sheep, Peter. Quit telling me that you love me and show me. Do something. Obey my command. Put me first.

There's no questioning Jesus's love; it's evident in the invitation. Now, Peter's love was placed on the stand of action.

So, 'do you love me' may be better asked, 'how do you know you love me'?

I've been asked this question, "How do you know you love me?" and I didn't feel I had an adequate response. 

All I know is "love does."

Just Say Yes!

Recently I shared meals with family and friends at some of the finer restaurants in the south; Waffle House, Cracker Barrel, and Buffalo Wild Wings. 

The waitress at Waffle House was shuffling duties between the cash register, drink machine, and customers' tables. Yet, in the midst of all the hustle with only two employees serving a house half full, my friend and I chose to affirm her hard work with a generous tip; we simply placed our "yes" on the table for her performance. 

The waiter at Cracker Barrel told us all about his bicycle remodeling project as he scurried from table to table delivering chicken and dumplings and glasses of sweet tea. I felt like I should offer him a chair and sit down to chat over coffee but he had plenty of tables to serve and our ticket was ready for pickup. Again, his generous service left us compelled to leave a generous "yes" on the table. 

 

The waiter at Buffalo Wild Wings had a busy shift covering tables for UFC fight night and the NFL playoffs. And this one crazy Pittsburgh Steelers fan was more than a fanatic; I probably would have left a bigger tip if they would have asked that guy to leave (or given him a free order of wings to keep him busy at his seat). Nevertheless, with a crowded room full of sports fans our waiter kept our glasses full and our table clean. Surely, we could leave a generous "yes" on the table for his performance too. 

Really, that's exactly what God in Christ is hoping to get out of our lives. Placing our yes on the table by acknowledging his perfectly completed performance on the cross. 

It would release us from attempting to prove our own self worth in a less than stellar performance of self righteous deeds. We become token tippers throwing change on the table hoping to appease any disappointment God may have with our begrudging attitudes or shameful actions. Or maybe we flaunt a few dollar bills on God's table trying to impress our fellow comrades with our deep pockets. 

And really, God becomes quite disgusted and broken hearted by our attempt to manipulate Him with some kind of payoff; temporarily saying yes for him to pat us on the back before we repeat our same selfish behavior.

God doesn't want your token tip, a few dollars in the plate, a promise to do better, your church attendance, a prayer, or reading your bible on occasion. God wants you to place your "yes" on the table; to acknowledge His superior performance, a performance that you can never match or repay. 

He wants you to sign and date the check to your life. There's no need to complete the line for what it's for, the amount, or  the memo line. He's not looking for a season of time or you working off the balance of some amount. He wants everything; he wants you to go all in. 

So, sign the check, hand it to Him, and place your "yes" on the table!