Things that make your head spin

Ever had a season in your life where you just go.. "Good-freaking-grief".

Welcome to my last 3 months.

This summer we all went to Iowa. (we vacation in Iowa) Wonderful time.  Beautiful.  Hard to come back to the heat.

North Carolina.  WONDERFUL!  PAINFUL!  Ever had a areas of your life you keep packing in boxes, telling God you will deal with them later?  Yep.  This was my "later".  As He was ripping open my boxes and was spilling the contents all over the floor, (poor students..thought I was bi-polar) He told me the next season I was going to need to be ready to fight.  And fight I have.


New role, new adventure, new headaches.

I, for the first time, will no longer be doing direct ministry.  A lot has happened with our church and restructuring to make sure our youth are set up for a win.  With that,  I am no longer the Director of College and Young Adult Ministries.  I am now the Director of Student Ministries.  A new position was created to oversee all of the student ministries (middle, high and college).  I have been asked and accepted that position as of last week.  This means that I will be over the Directors and staff of the respective ministries now. I will work with an organization called Youth Ministry Architects to develop and implement an 18 month plan for fruitful and sustainable student ministry, build unity, shepherd, lead and jump into a new adventure.  One that spends a lot more time at the office and much less at the coffee shops.

Wait.  WHAT HAVE I DONE!!??

And does this mean I have to be a grown up!?



There's more.  So much more.  But you need to grab me for coffee (and get me out of the office!) to hear it all.

I'm not kidding.

John 12, Title Renamed. Curious?

Originally titled "Getting Sticky With Jesus", but thought better.. It IS a better name for it, however.


So PAY ATTENTION!


While I was reading through John 12 getting ready for the message this weekend at Van Dyke Church, there was a segment that stood out.


Here we have a somewhat strange story sandwiched in the middle of two epic events.  We have a party happening at a (former) Leper's house.  Yes, Simon the Leper (thanks for labeling people).  Lazarus was there (after he was raised from the dead) and Martha was back to her old gig: serve, serve, serve.  (Good to see Jesus held no ill will after she let him have it over letting her brother die..and he did bring him back from the dead, so go figure.  Better man than me.)


Jesus is reclining at the table, I imagine they are laughing, talking, eating.  All of a sudden Mary appears with an alabaster jar with a pound of pure nard.  Most of us would give a strange look, but think nothing of it.  
THEY, however, knew better.  This was a VERY expensive perfume/oil.  How much you ask?  Anywhere between $12,000-$30,000 worth.  Needless to say, she had their attention.


She walks over, cracks the top off and starts pouring this stuff ALL OVER JESUS!  Can't you just see the guys in the room?  


*Slow motion*: Eyes get big, hands start to raise. Table gets knocked around as they attempt to stand. "No o o o o o!" They yell.


Too late.  The fragrance would have burnt your nose it was so strong.  Good luck trying to get this stuff out of your wardrobe or the smell off your skin.  Skunks have nothing on this (but this smells WAY better)


While Judas got ticked and started yelling at her, Jesus told him to politely "Shut up" and "Leave her alone."


Now she paid no mind to the disciples or Judas.  


*Here is where you would have enjoyed the title*
Understand, her interrupting this would have been a bother.  Her coming in with oil and anointing Jesus would have been reason for a strong rebuke.  With this special India import that is usually collected, you would have been locked away in a mental asylum.  But what happens next, put it to the disturbing level:


"She wiped his feet with her hair."


What, you may ask?  Yeah.  Understand that in this culture, many times only prostitutes had their hair down.  A proper woman would have always had her hair up and done nicely.  And the act of wiping his feet with her hair? This would have been downright EROTIC.
The guys there would have been beside themselves!  There was nothing appropriate about this.  This is the Messiah!  This is their Rabbi and God!


And THIS!!??


But Jesus saw her heart.  He saw through the action to the meaning.  She came to Him with full out extravagance.  She let Him know that He means more to her than any money, pride, reputation or anything else this world has to offer.  In that, Jesus sat there and let her worship Him.


She got it.  Her heart was all in.  Her life was all His. THAT is what life is all about. That is the key to life in it's fullest.


Give it a try.  You will never be the same.

Well hello there, God. Didn't see you there.

The future seems vague and life piles on. The truth becomes dusty and the battles rarely won. It seems pain is reality and while you forge ahead, each step seems distant and walking is like lead (the metal, duh). The battle rages around you and you scarcely know its toll. Until one day you wake up and feel dull in your soul. Where do you turn from here, what in the world is to be done? Put on your armor. There is a life to be won.

Well, I didn't plan on writing that. God used to allow me to write small poems back years ago, but its been at least 10 since I have. It just came out in a matter of 5 minutes, and I feel it helps to encapsulate where I have been. So. Thanks God. (And Nick Williamson for reminding me that God used to speak to me in poems as well)

This last week in North Carolina was a very wonderful and refining time (not always so wonderful). While I went int to the week physically prepared for what was to come, I didn't head into it mentally or spiritually prepared. I came to remember that these are weeks that God gets my attention on things that I have pushed to the side and He won't let me shove them off any longer. It is great and painful all at the same time.

It came clear in retrospect that I was not pushed to my limit once physically on the trip. I always could have gone more. But the telling point for me was this:

I was standing near the top of the 60ft tower climb and in front of me were 2 ropes with knots. I was told to jump out (a long ways in the air), grab them and climb by Brian (counselor and belayer..guy who has me anchored and roped). I stared at it as it was not my intended route to the top. He yelled "You can do it" and gave a hard tug on the rope that almost sent me off the side. I remember shooting him a look and turning around to take the log pole up the rest of the way.

Thus encapsulates much of my week. And my teachable moment.

I could have, and SHOULD have jumped. Even if I slipped, Brian was there. But I mentally caved and took an easier route. I justified it by telling myself I still took a "harder" route.

But I missed the real challenge.

I look back at that as my defining moment of how I lived the week. Always within my control of what I knew I could do. Keep everything within my control. No risk, no looking like an idiot.

Wow.

And the whole time a war was raging inside to push, push, push and break that. While I resisted, fought and acted like a little kid.

Needless to say, much will be taken from this trip. I am grateful for the conversations that challenged me and the lives that were touched this week. I cannot wait to go back and live this week differently next year.

But most importantly, I know how I am going to live THIS adventure, THIS life. I am ready to live intentionally and on purpose. Fear will not rule. I will jump for the rope.

I don't want to miss a minute of what God has in store.

Thoughts of life, heart to keypad.

At small group last night we were talking about theology, questions about God, His goodness, His faithfulness and overall, who IS He?

I am not sure where anyone else landed last night, but I landed with this:

There are no guarantees of tomorrow.

That can be a startling reality. However, most of the world acts as though there is. I see myself and so much of the world take our years, months, days, moments..for granted. Of course I will wake up tomorrow. Tomorrow is just another day.

What if it isn't?

What if it's not there?

How would you live today?

What if you don't have another day, another hour, another minute?

What would be your regrets?

I know I would have tons of regrets. Lost moments, things I should have done or said. Days I wasted when I could have been doings something of worth. Time with my wife, girls, friends, students. Pouring myself out.

I realized lately that we (I) tend to walk through life in a fog. As though we are just living,

but not really alive.

This is why I love to be with people and hate being behind a desk, but at the same time do not take advantage of the opportunities laid out before me. Anyone else feel like a paradox?

I feel as though I know I should be living differently, but just...don't.

I would like to say I plan on changing this, but at this point I can't promise anything. I want to from a mental standpoint, but my spirit is drained. I guess I need to pray that God revives my heart and His passion re-fills me. Lord to have someone to pour into me again...it has been so long.

What is Love? Part 1

The million dollar question.

"What. Is. Love?"

I had a student leader text me on this subject, and this is what was said:

"Always and Unconditionally."

Three words thrown around casually and often. Usually without any thought to what the bookend words REALLY entail or the weight of their meaning.

Today, these words became profound.

I have to say, first off, I am proud of my leader for this response. I am honored to know that this is becoming the DNA of the Re:Wired College Ministry. Not only was that a first response, but those words transfer to actions. I have had the privilege of watching this statement in motion by our leaders. How amazing that is!

Now I realize that this can become a formula many times for cheap grace. It can smack of "anything goes" mentality and we watch human nature become reduced to animal-like instincts. But if you were really to employ this strategy to the heart and truth of what it really means, it has massive reaching effects.

It may also be hardest thing you have ever had to do.

Jesus and football.

It has been an interesting thing for me to follow after re-forming much of my learned evangelical and pentecostal beliefs ..this concept of Christianity and sports.

I used to thank God for getting me a great parking spot yesterday and then wonder why I had to walk 1/2 mile in the rain the today. Did I lose favor? What did I do? (Another discussion for another time)

ANYWAY~
You have players like Tim Tebow that boldly claim their faith on their face, you have players thanking God after touchdowns or big plays.

But my question I wrestle with, is does God even care?

Really. Lets look at this.

Last night you had the Florida Gators led by all-star stud Tim Tebow poised to dominate the SEC and take the National Title. Time to go 24 -0 and become the most dominant football team seemingly ever.

But they lost. No, they got KILLED! At the end of the game, you have a shot of Tim Tebow on his knee with eyes wet, trying to hold back the tears. Now understand..some people really scoffed at his tears.."It's just a game!" "Is he REALLY crying!?"

But I understand where he was at. It was the end of an era for him. It was the finale in a culmination of huge wins and history. And they-got-killed.

No National Championship, no re-do, no next year. That was it. So I totally get it. He gave his all in football as he should and as God calls us to with whatever it is we do. So, some tears. Good for him. It hurt. Because he gave it everything!

But here is what I also noticed: Tim Tebow praying on the sideline somewhere in the first half. What was he praying for? That God give him favor? That God allow him to play his best?

That God turn the Tide around?

See, I do not doubt that God had his hand in allowing a man like Tim Tebow to be in the spot-light like he has been. From what I can tell (from the outside) Tim has done an amazing job of representing Christianity and a man of character and integrity. I have great respect for him.

What I ponder is whether God allowed all the fame and dominance so Tim and the Gators could understand humility? Did God allow Tim to flourish and refine so he can show us what a man of God really looks like in the face of adversity?

Or is it that God is not really that interested in the game and how everything plays out,

but more interested in who we are regardless of our circumstances...?

Instant vs. Slow Drip.

Anyone ever had instant coffee? As a kid, my parents had it when camping. I tried it one day. It is disgusting! And why? It is INSTANT, and anything mix-and-serve is never a good idea.

So then...Have you ever noticed the difference between a cup of coffee from a slow drip brewer vs. a cup from an quick drip? With the schedules and meetings and rush, there is rarely time for a slow drip machine these days. And to be honest, the quick drip machine can give you some pretty good coffee!

But...There is something unmistakable when it comes to the slow drip. It gives the water and grounds time to really mix and blend. It allows more time for the aroma and flavor to mature and come alive. There is just something so much better when it comes to the slow drip process. The result is unmistakable.

Now lets look at church today.

We want things our way, in our time and QUICK!

When it comes to growing a ministry or congregation, we want to see it explode with growth and be able to reap the rewards right away. Really, if you talk with anyone in ministry, (despite what they might say) that is the deep down desire.

We want to sound super-spiritual and say "We are willing to do what it takes to insure the depth and deep roots necessary to make this ministry what God has destined it to be!" (Actually, that is the rhetoric of pastors and ministry people that have fledgling ministries or congregations to make is sound good. ;-)

But what is the reality? There are those rare (and let me emphasize rare) ministries that explode with growth and get all the attention. They are asked to speak at all the conferences and events and are the poster children to how it can be done. The reality is, most of us will never, ever see that.

Here is my revelation:

For most of us, me included, what God desires is a slow drip ministry. He could allow us to have fast growing ministries with lots of people, but what would happen in time? What kind of roots are there? How deep are they? What happens when the conditions get rough, is the ministry able to go to the deep reservoirs of water with the deeply embedded roots to find the life sustenance needed? Or would the roots be shallow and wide and dry up when hard times hit?

Unfortunately I see this often. A mile wide and inch deep.

God has not called us to this kind of community. He has called us to a community of depth and vibrancy, deep roots and rich flavor. We can settle for instant community, or we can take the long, slow road of investment and time..bucking the nagging voices to do it quick and stay the course of methodical investment.

I have not had the fortunate experience to see Re:Wired be one of those ministries that just shot off and became an instant success. It has been a hard, long road. But the stories I hear and the methodical God that keeps drawing new people in one by one to be added to our community.

Slow enough for them to be known, invested in and become a part of our family.

Then the roots grow.

The right elements mix, and it becomes strong and rich. The process never ends,

but the flavor is unmistakable.

It is the flavor of our transforming God!