What Grips You?

I absolutely love what I do. I love being able to sit and talk with people about what is going on in their lives. Many times the journeys that I hear stun me. So many people, including myself have been shaped by tragic events, monumental mistakes, deep hurts. If you have experienced something difficult or hurting in life you know the impact that it has on you as an individual and in your relationship with others. We put up walls, lack trust, become someone we aren’t so that we might please someone else, our lives change because of the things we have done or the things that have been done to us. We become gripped by the past. It is amazing how good we become at becoming someone else. It is so hard to deal with the things of yesterday. It is hard to deal with for a couple of reasons: 1. We can’t seem to forgive those who have wronged us. I say this very sensitively. I realize that the pain of being hurt cuts deeper then most will ever know. Whether it is divorce, disinterest, death, abuse, conditional love, or a multitude of other things, we have a hard time forgiving. Or maybe it’s just me? Forgiveness is hard to offer sometimes, because honestly, i think inside most of us, we want the score settled. We want that person or persons to know how bad we hurt. But you know, unforgiveness is so punishing. When i refuse to forgive someone who has wronged me, it is ME that ends up hurting worse. They don’t even realize I care enough to not forgive. One guy told me, “refusing to forgive someone is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die!” So true. My refusal to forgive destroys me before it every hurts the person that has hurt me. If i could encourage you today, FORGIVE! It doesn’t mean you condone what happened to you, it just means you have decided to stop carrying it around. Stop being gripped by it. I know it was terrible, i know someone should pay, but YOU need to be freed up. Forgive them and let Christ handle it from here. Move from the Victim to the Victor through forgiveness. Ephesians 4:32, “forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” Even if they don’t deserve your forgiveness, forgive so that you can be freed up! Lay it down. 2. People remind us of our past. The second reason it is hard to deal with the things of yesterday is because often people will not let us move on. What i mean is, there is always someone who wants to remind us of who we Used to be or what you did at some other time. Now i understand there are consequences to actions. I get that. However, i believe whole heartedly that when Christ forgives you, you are forgiven indeed. I believe that when Christ saves you, you are changed from the inside out. You are a NEW creature. The Old or yesterday is gone, all things are new. I understand that we still may have to deal with the consequences of past decisions, but the fact is that man or woman is new. You may have to pay the price of the past, but you do not have to be trapped in the past! There are always those who want to remind us of our past, our failures, our mess ups, but Christ in You reminds you that it is no longer you who lives but Christ in you. Even when others refuse to let your past go, you must trust Christ has made all things new. Can you imagine how many times the Apostle Paul must have been challenged by what he had done before Christ forgave him? Just as his past didn’t keep him from having an eternal impact, neither should your past. Be strong and courageous. 

 

So what has you gripped? Do you need to forgive? Do you need to keep moving forward and let the past remain in the past? 

The need for Solitude……..

I must admit I have a hard time being alone. I guess I am haunted by all the days of my youth that were spent in “Time – Out”? I do not do alone very well. I don’t always have to be with a crowd, but I have a need for companionship. Truthfully it is by God’s design, He said, “It is not good for man to be alone” so we know that He is very much ok with my need for companionship He made me this way. However, there is another principle in Scripture that Christ practiced that has gripped me in the past several days. I must admit, it has been to some degree a battle, because it does not come natural for me. What I am talking about is the need for Solitude. The need to get alone. To withdraw and refocus on the things that matter. The need to let the noise of life die down and hear from my father in heaven. One man said it this way, “There must be solitude if there is going to be a testimony of power.” Wow. What a thought, in order to walk in power I need time alone with the Source of that power. You know what I know about myself? I like to ride the wave of momentum or past victories. I like to embrace the moment, but often I linger too long in that moment and in the moment of lingering, my pride in self grows. I begin to run and do on my own power and strength. I feed my ego and if not very careful become very self focused instead of Christ focused! But this thought isn’t new. Christ taught us the need and practice of solitude. In fact in Mark 1 we learn that Jesus is baptized, He begins preaching, he heals many, and in the moment of all of these great things the bible says, vs. 35, “In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there.” In fact when His disciples find Christ they inform Him that everyone is looking for Him, they want to be with the man of the hour. But Christ says, no, it is time to move on we must stay focused on why I came. 

You know, I am fearful of solitude. It is in the moment of solitude, in the moment where the cheering stops, the boasting is gone, the making much of me is quietened, and I am alone face to face with Christ Himself that I am reminded of who I am not and who He is! It is in that moment of solitude that my heart and eyes are refocused. It is in the moment of solitude that I can cry out, I can listen. It is in the moment of solitude that Christ refreshes me for the task for which He created and saved me. Moments of solitude with Christ are not a good idea they are a Necessity.

Question – Do you fear solitude? Do you make time for solitude? What do you learn when you get alone with Christ?

Headed in the wrong direction………

This morning i was challenged as I was rereading the story of the Prodigal Son. It is quiet possibly one of the most famous stories of the New Testament. Whether you are a believer or a non-believer you have probably at one time or another heard someone be referenced as a Prodigal son or daughter. The implication is that they did their own thing, left what they knew for something they considered better. Luke 15 tells the story of a man who has two sons, the younger of which wants to go his own way. Do it his own way on his own terms answering only to self. The young man ask for his share of the inheritance he would get from his father and heads off to “a distant country.” 

Now I must admit I have read and reread this story more then I could possibly recount. But something hit me this morning like it hasn’t before. This young man didn’t mean to destroy his life. He didn’t set out to leave home, squander his wealth, and enter into a state of depression over his circumstances. He didn’t intend to do this, but HE did do this. His plan back fired. He found in the distant country that he was a long long way from home. He wasn’t  bad guy with a bad intention. He was a normal guy who wanted to do things his own way. The problem was his way lead him in the wrong direction. His way cost him everything. His way severed relationships with those he loved and those who loved him the most. I wonder, when his bags were packed, his plan thought out, with his first step down the path to a distant country, if he thought it would cost him everything? I wonder if the road he was on looked scary or it looked promising? I wonder if he thought he would go to a “distant country” or if he thought he would go to the land of promise and the land of dreams? Simply put, this guy had a plan, had a path, but his plan and path were headed in the wrong direction. He lost it all! HIS plans were not all HE thought It would be. It cost him more then he had calculated.  - The good part is he went home and his dad received him back. This long hard story has a very happy ending. You or someone you know may be in the distant country now, but the road that led away can be traveled back. God will receive you back! I’m so thankful Christ never gives up on us.

question – Where are you? have you ever headed in the wrong direction? Did it cost you? Do you need to go back home? Do you know someone in the distant country now? Is it you?

Obama and Lincoln………

As we are fast approaching the historic swearing in of President – Elect Barack Obama, it is very clear both from the media and the average American that President – Elect Obama has and is currently imitating and taking guidance from the foot prints of Former President Abraham Lincoln. President – Elect Obama makes no apologies about his close association with the leadership of Lincoln, and has even been said to be reading books about the leadership of Abraham Lincoln. It is clear that President – Elect Obama is looking to the Legacy of former President Lincoln to guide him along the way to and through his presidency.

 But this publication isn’t just about these two men, this is a publication about you!

Question – Who are you following and imitating in life? Where do you get your wisdom? Where do you get your guidance? As you walk through life who are you currently watching or who from the past do you look to? Tell us who it is that you are currently (whether they are Past or Present) you are modeling your life after.

Learning about God’s love through my children…

I am amazed how much God uses my children to teach me about His love for me. I’m working from home this morning for two reasons. 1. We are running so fast at the office that I have little time to study so i needed a minute to catch my breath and focus on God’s Word. 2. My daughter was up off and on all night with a bad sinus infection and cough. Needless to say, when your 8 month old isn’t happy NO BODY sleeps! When I say she wasn’t happy I mean she was restless. Nothing and absolutely NOTHING made her happy. She wanted to be held, she wanted to be rocked, she wanted to lay she wanted to walk, she wanted her blanket and then she wanted nothing. She would scream, she would whimper, she arch her back, and then nothing. I would’ve done anything to stop her pain and her frustration, but she wouldn’t stop long enough to see that I was holding her. Then it hit me! This is the way I act in my relationship with Christ. I scream, fuss, hold my breath, nothing suits me. If I could just have it my way. I am not always sure what it is that has me frustrated, but I fight. I thrash. I pursue peace from what has me shaken on the inside and yet I am so busy fussing that I miss out on the fact that my Father is holding me. He doesn’t always take away the pain, but He Always provides Comfort. He promises that He will never leave me nor forsake me no matter what I am facing, and sometimes it isn’t that He removes the obstacle, it’s that He is willing to hold me all the way through it! When my daughter finally relaxed and realized it was her daddy that was holding her while she struggled, she finally gave up laid her head on my shoulder and we rocked til she was sound asleep! Sometimes when the pain comes all you can do, is be still and know that He is God!

Question – What has your children taught you about your relationship with Christ?

Time to DREAM!

I know that most of us think of a new year and automatically think Resolution! You have heard of all the resolutions that people come up with…….I’m going to diet, I’m going to spend more time with my family, time to seriously consider getting married, etc. There are all kinds of resolutions, but this year I have a new resolution. My Resolution for this year is to DREAM! I don’t mean like sleep dream, I mean dream an impossible dream. I’m talking about an expectation dream. An expectation that can only be achieved if God shows up and blows my mind. I can not express how stoked i have been over the last 6 months. We have had the awesome opportunity of starting a new campus, where i have the most unbelievable and humbling opportunity of speaking weekly. And God has poured out blessing after blessing. People actually come, I know that may not mean much to you, but it is crazy to me. People get up and make a conscious decision to come and worship at First Baptist Concord Westlake. And when i say people have come, i mean there are Sunday’s that we are actually out of room. This is by no means a reflection of a particular person, it is a reflection of the goodness of our Savior Jesus Christ! And HE is changing lives! I honestly can’t believe We get to do this!!!! So back to my resolution, Im DREAMING. I am dreaming and asking God to do even greater things. People, men, women, families, teenagers, teachers, businessmen and women, couples, we all need the Love of Christ. Im dreaming and asking God to supernaturally and unexpectedly open the flood gates on this campus. I believe that there are more people that need a touch of Christ then we have room for! I Pray and Dream that this little campus will be known as a place that Christ Changes lives, Restores families, Saves Souls, brings about blessings. I’m dreaming this year, I’m anticipating this year, I am crying out for God to do something bigger and greater then one person or one place, i pray that God will leverage this place at this moment for maximum Kingdom Impact. I invite you to Dream with Me, Come and Worship with Us, Seek Christ with Us. I’m confident you will find, “Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21

Thanksgiving!

This morning I woke up to the sound of my sons singing the Thanksgiving song. You know the one, it goes something like this…..”Thanksgiving day is a happy day, when we say Thank you God”……..as we all sang the chorus around the house, because we couldn’t remember the other words, I began to ponder all that I want to tell God I am thankful for. I’m not trying to be all sentimental, but honest, and I really have a lot to be thankful for this year. I am thankful for our new Westlake campus. We have had the privilege to see many people who are looking for a Church family come to the Westlake campus. I have met many new people with great God stories, and I have met some who are waiting to see their God story happen! I can truly say thank you God for Westlake and the great honor to be a part of the journey. I am thankful today for my family and especially the addition of my daughter Mahala. Last year we were expecting her and this year…….she is sitting in the living room crying!……I never thought I would have a daughter and now that she is here, I am thankful and humbled all at the same time.  

It has been a fast year. It has been a hard year. It has been a historic year. The economy has been up and down, mostly down with some historic lows and fall outs. We have a new President-Elect, who will be the first African-American President. 2008 has proven to be a one-of-a-kind year. But even in the midst of all the changes, worry, and excitement, God has given us all some things to be thankful for. I have many more things that I am thankful for and will share with you soon. But I have a question for you……….Today what are you thankful for? Be Bold, Be proud, Be thankful. Tell us all what you are thankful for!

IPod Users!

I love music. I can honestly say that I am a fan of all music. I can’t imagine living life without music. Music is the soundtrack for our everyday life. Music is so influential in all of our lives. We can hear a specific song and remember where we were, what we were doing, and who we were with. I also know that for many the issue of music is a very sensitive subject. Music lovers are loyal to their favorite artist and their preferred Genre of music. Country music fans love those great country music ballads, Classic Rock fans love those Southern rock tunes, Christian music fans love their praise and worship songs with a message, Hip Hop fans dig their music with a beat, it’s been said that Classical music sets a mood of learning and study, and Jazz music speaks to the soul of a man. I love my music and I have to have variety in my listening. I am addicted to itunes because I can buy individual songs to meet the demand of my listening at that particular moment. No one likes to spend 16 dollars for 10 songs when you really only like 2 songs on the album. I really can’t remember when the last time was that I downloaded a fully album. Itunes and my Ipod has changed the way I listen to music. Just this week I have listened to Country, Classic Rock, Praise and Worship, and even some movie Soundtracks. I LOVE MY ITUNES AND MY IPOD!

Question - What are you listening to? What is your favorite Song? What is your favorite band or singer? Why? What’s on your ipod? I look forward to hearing from you, don’t disappoint me. I am anxious to download some New Music, so hook me up with your favorites.

Where is the line?

I had a very interesting conversation today. One in which I would like to invite you to continue with me. Where is the line for speakers for a church event? Is it ok to have non-believers speak at Church events? When is the attempt to draw a crowd or reach a demographic going to far? We have all been to events simply because of the “BIG NAME” key note speaker. You weren’t necessarily interested in the event, but you wanted to see the speaker in person, so you went. Churches have often, invited professing Christians, and some who were non-professing Christians, with a nationally known name to speak at an event in the hopes of attracting the multitudes in an effort to share the Gospel. Most of us don’t think about it, we go or we don’t, but do you think the Gospel is blurred by a well intended effort? Or is it possible to leverage the fame of a random person (athlete, CEO, Rockstar, Actor, blogger, etc) to maximize the attempt to share the Fame of our savior?

What do you think? Where is the line? Does it matter?

Candy, Candy, Candy

I don’t know if you and your family acknowledge Halloween, but we have decided that Candy is a good motivation to get dressed up! In fact this year we dressed up like Spiderman, Batman, the Incredible Hulk, and a butterfly, and would you believe, we bagged some serious Candy. I must admit I encouraged the superheroes to pursue the always fulfilling “Milk Duds” yum! We visited the grandparents and once again we were not disappointed.

Question – What is your must have Candy?