Stop, pause and let someone be known....

  As of late, my wife and I have had some phenomenal moments with some of our military teens in South Georgia that have literally blown my mind. God's mighty hand has been upon our journey as we sadly have to prepare our eventual departure here in late-summer. Knowing that we would have to share with our students in regard to our upcoming move (PCS in military talk), we weren't sure what God would have in store for our students' reactions or how they would feel overall in hearing our news. 

  It's almost like a floodgate of God's amazing children coming to us, hungry, needing not the physical food but spiritual food in the past couple of weeks since our notification to them. To say that He has put our own selves in check would be very accurate on what to expect. First, we had a student who has had so many questions about God, Jesus, Heaven and everything in between that we knew she would love attending church with us sometime on a Saturday evening since we were already in Savannah doing so. That was exactly what we did. Amy and I took this young lady to church with us and she got to experience a place where she could dress however she wanted and be exactly who God intended her to be, right then and there. After attending the service, we asked her what she thought and she said 'she loved it' and can't wait to come back again. God must have moved big time since on the way home she asked Amy how to pray. Then, once I got home, I received a message from another student at Hunter whom heard about this one girl attending church with us. Apparently this young lady shared with her friend how much she loved going and then the other girl asked me if she could come with us next time?!?! We can't even make these kind of things up!

  Then while at Easter service at the Post Chapel, I received a message from yet another Hunter parent asking if I was at the Savannah Christian service, which I was not. The parent informed me that their son was eagerly ready to get baptized (which they were doing in services if people felt called to do so) and he definitely wanted me present for his baptism at the church. Emphatically I told his mother for him not to wait if he felt compelled to do it then and there, however, we discussed and he said he could wait until I were present to witness this amazing event in his life. God......really!? 

  We're finding more and more of our students and adults we interact just desire to 'be known.' That's it. No magic. No special formula. They want to share who they are with someone who is actively listening. Put down the phone and listen. Connect 1-1 with them and give undivided caring attention. That's what Jesus did. HE SHOWED UP. He loved others. He didn't quantify or qualify someone ahead of the discussion. He met them right where they were and met their needs. 

Rather than moving ahead quickly in conversation, why not try slowing down and hearing the ache behind someone's 'I'm fine or I'm good' comment when you ask how they're doing. Imagine the impact on God's Kingdom when we take care of people's souls, rather than being heard in what we want to share instead. People need one another. We were built for relationships. That's why God created us, to have a relationship with Him and His people. 

Honestly, this is why I am who I am in Christ today. People stepped into my mess. They chose to love me regardless of what I had done, was going through or how bad my life was at that moment. I am eternally thankful for those people at church who laid their hands upon my broken soul and prayed upon me. I'm thankful for those people who I enabled to speak God's mighty truth into my life, even when I didn't want it. I'm still flawed like no other. I know I need a Savior who will step into the gap for my sins and I'm thankful He did on the Cross. I am reconciled to God the Father because people stopped.........and listened. 

Angels Among Us.....

As you may or may not know, God has called me into the passion and desire of His heart and venture to full-time youth ministry as a missionary, eventually in Europe. Over the past 18+ months in preparation, many times I have had chances to analyze my own life and see the lives of people on God's mission for them right in our own backyard. It's incredible how many selfless people we have in our local communities when we take that step back an see it from His viewpoint. I personally get sidetracked or even narrow-focused to look at the places overseas where things are unfathomable and that's where missionaries normally are sent. Don't get me wrong, these ARE great places and there are amazing people who surrender their personal comforts, lives, everything for God's greater purpose to love on those people like Christ did for people long ago.

Specifically, God places amazing people in our lives and around us for reasons we can't fathom during those moments. Maybe someone chose to smile at me while walking my dog or allowed me to cross the street instead of rushing into traffic. Perhaps someone spoke some amazing God-filled truth into my life just at the right moment, only to where I noticed it weeks, maybe months later.

This leads me into my original thought. Skillet is one of my favorite Christian-metal bands ever. If you do not know me, I'm a rocker to the core. Love mosh pits and love to rock out. Skillet is one of those types of bands but an incredible message at the same time. I was preparing a lesson for our youth at Ft. Leavenworth one week and got the chance to use one of their songs and it resonated well with me and pegged me to really think about true 'looking for angels' here in our community. If you haven't heard their song, check it out sometime, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AxsxWzb07M.

I have had the amazing pleasure to work with one of the most selfless people I've ever met. Nearly ten years after meeting her and getting to spend time with her multiple times in highs and lows, this person is truly one of God's angels in Leavenworth County, Kansas. She is selfless with her time, talents and possessions, more than I can ever imagine. She showed me how to live life in the right way to honor God's call on my life and to lead a life that honors Him. She even had hard truth from God to speak to me at times, even when I didn't want to hear it. She impacted my life - more than I ever imagined. She became a surrogate mother to me in this home I had away from my own home back in Nebraska. To that, I am ever so thankful.

So I have to ask you, do you think you can have an impact where you are? Small things, no matter how small you think they may be, do matter. Sometimes we are the only Jesus Christ that people will ever see. What will you do differently? Is there someone now in your life who has impacted you as I have been in my own life? Don't wait to thank them or tell them what they have done for you. Do it now. Let them know part of God's Kingdom has shone upon your life through their impacts in your life.

May God continue to open doors in your life and others around you so that you can fully embrace what He is calling you toward. It won't be easy, happy or perfect - but He will lead you upon the way.

Where's common courtesy gone?

As of late, I have noticed something appalling in the way people treat one another. More specific to the situation, I work in a service-based business. Sadly, the resounding situation that has continued to occur has been frequent people who don't agree with the final decision made upon their request and near belligerent attitudes toward me personally. To go even further, these people go to the extent of marching themselves above my authority to tell my boss they should get preferential treatment and my decision doesn't mean 'squat.' If it doesn't happen that way, they choose to threaten to take their business elsewhere until they get their way in treating me like dirt.

Where I am going is this - where has the common courtesy between human beings gone? I don't see any respect for one another at all when it comes to interaction between people. Personally I feel that people have shifted to this some kind of 'expected' mentality that it's their way or the highway and they'll do whatever necessary to win their point over.

Since we are headed into the biggest 'gimmick' season of shopping and whatever else you can think that has ruined the reason for Christmas, we are upon something I never imagined before. It truly bothers me to think how the human race has basically become a 'stick it to the person next to you no matter the cost' type of people. If we think hard enough, what kind of leaders in our history felt this way and treated humans this way? I will remain silent in this matter but I think most people will see what my point is here.

People are not doormats and should never be treated that way. If we all chose to be a bit more patient and kind, I think we all would see a huge generational shift in how things happen in our world. Christ never treated people like this. He never told someone to their face that their decision was so wrong that He'd insult you basically to the person above you. It is simply saddening to know this is the route our world has gone. This has happened to me where I have had a choice in making something right after I chose to react poorly. Instead of sitting on my high point and thinking my position was right, I humbled myself to tell that person I messed up. Specifically, it all falls to the importance of God's Truth in 1 Corinthians 13 about the traits of love and how we really should treat one another.

That's where I remain. My prayer for society is to bring more humility, patience, kindness, common courtesy to one another. This could change so much in our overall attitudes and the way it can windfall to our daily action. If this has hit you in any way or made you feel offended, deeply I am sorry it has - but it has for a reason and God is convicting you of change. He has of me already in writing these thoughts on my own heart in how I interact with others on a daily basis.

American Dream.....or Nightmare?

Over the last few months, God has motivated me personally to do a self-assessment on my priorities and everything in my life. Being that He has called me into the amazing world of military youth ministry and specifically the mission field, it has prompted me to look at what is truly necessary in my life.

In reviewing things that are in my life, I have come to understand I have too much crap. I have closets full of clothing, one large dresser full and one small nightstand full of clothes. Too much crap! I have a house full of stuff and I am never there! Dear Lord, this is too much for one single guy to have. God has opened my heart to give stuff to others who can use what I don't. I don't need 50 t-shirts, 50 pair of shoes, 50 types of dress shirts and so on. But sadly I DO. Why??? Because I was caught up in the "American Dream" of living like everyone else. I have a mortgage, a car, a lawn mower, a fertilizer spreader, an elliptical machine, a living room full of furniture, a really nice dining room set, and on and on. Why??? Living the supposed "American Dream."

It isn't enough that I own these things, I have learned that I have to maintain them too. What a joke. Now the things I own, really own me and my time. Change the oil in the car, lawn mower, mow the lawn, shovel the driveway, vacuum the carpet, paint the house, fertilize the yard, iron my dress shirts, do the laundry of all the clothing I own, and on and on. My collection of crap OWNS ME.

I've learned something. The American Dream is a gimmick. Period. If you disagree, then it hasn't hit you yet. Luckily God has blessed me to be a frugal person to financially not incur any debt other than my home loan, but I still feel straddled with this debt. What exactly are we working so hard for anyhow? To be laden with the typical mortgage, family, everything else that comes along with it to include all of the crap of collecting too? Is it worth it? Is it really something most people care to do in paying on a home loan for THIRTY YEARS? That is just insane. Over that period of time, most people will pay almost 3 TIMES the cost of their home, no matter the rate they think was such a 'good deal.'

I do believe that purchases with good choices behind them are alright. Having a home or place to live is a good thing, but it isn't a requirement to own a home. Having a car is a nice thing but it doesn't have to be the biggest or newest and nicest one around. Just needs to get you from point A to point B, right? I know people who always go out and get the best and newest of everything just to be yet again disappointed with how things ended in filling that immediate 'need.' Ever wonder why that need wasn't filled so well? Could it be you might be missing Jesus in that void?

It's also interesting to go to yard sales I think. We find all of the 'crap' people went out and wasted their hard earned money on throughout time where it goes for pennies on the dollar. Wouldn't it be easier if we spent our money on something more worthwhile, such as building up God's Kingdom? That could be in many ways and not just in the physical church setting too. Potentially support a Christ-focused local food pantry, youth ministry, church, missionary, Christian radio station......anything at all.

What I am getting at here is that the American Dream is not really the 'dream' everyone has when they get into it. We can make good choices not to follow the curve and live wholesome lives which God can be pleased. The next time you are out and are considering spending money, I ask you and I will do the same......do you really need another ______? May God bless you in your personal walk with Jesus because He continues to rock my world.

Intentional, or not?

Life takes courage, period. Too many times I have been around people in life where I pass them by either at work, in the community or even at church and we exchange the cordial "what's up" or even "how have you been?" I'm in a different place in my life now with Christ taking hold so much that it kills me to hear those passive comments going on around me. I now am a man of intentionality. My reason behind this posting dwells back to where I got the chance to really engage with a fellow brother in Christ, John. He's my absolute champion in my faith in Jesus and where I have developed a life in following our Lord. He is also my real accountability partner in life, no matter when I fall or have a victory in daily activity. John is courageous in his intentionality with me. He steps outside of his comfort to give me his all when I need it. In time, I have learned to to the same so much that I feel so changed by the way I interact with others now. No longer I say the typical 'what's up' or 'how are you' without really caring behind the comment when asking someone else. God has changed me and my outlook on interacting with people. I want to know people and hear from them because that's what Christ did when He was here. He knew people. It took courage to be intentional while Christ got to know others. It was messy. LIFE IS MESSY. However, we humans want to be heard in our struggles and victories of life. My challenge to those reading this blog post is not to see where I have come from but to see the key point of being intentional will come from a courage Christ will give you. I don't know how it will happen for other people because that's in God's plans, not mine or yours. I do champion you to take that next step though to really know people around you. Be intentional. Have that courage Christ is calling all of us to have to really understand people we are around. Christ was the perfect and best example we could have in how He reached the least of our existence to LOVE them and show them He cared about them. Therefore, when you are crossing paths with someone you do or don't know, how intentional will you be in your conversation?

Obedience....walking in God's shadows.

Breakthrough. Change. Humility. Passion. Willpower. Sacrifice. Obedience.

In the past few days, God has reached the depths of my soul more than I ever imagined. I had an incredible opportunity to be a man of strength to the youth around me in the ministry I volunteer as well as the other men adults who were alongside me in the journey during a recent purity retreat. God showed up. He not only showed up for those youth around us but He talked to ME. While we had an opportunity to do something bigger than ever, I chose to nail something that was my past to the cross which had been assembled moments into the afternoon. On the notecard were the words "my divorce." I knew this was going to be a moving opportunity because I do feel it defines who I am and what I have been through as a man of Christ, but I had no idea what it was going to hold when the leader chose to pull them off later in the day and burn them. I stood there watching him pull them from the cross and tossing them into the fire, watching them burn, knowing that redemption was God's reason for The Cross. Jesus paid it for me, for those youth, for our pasts, our faults, our shortcomings. I hadn't sobbed like this in a long time and God knew it. He was building for what was yet to come.

Sunday was a great day. I had the chance to see people after God's miracles came through during the retreat and share with them how powerful everything had been for the youth and the adults alike. God showed up. Again. In visiting with one of my great friends who is a pastor at our church, God spoke through him. I was asked how my 'phone call' went that week. I admitted I was waiting on the ample time to make that call. It was a sad excuse. Then I got the wonderful chance to share where God had been leading my life lately in His vision for me to go full-time into youth ministry mission work. He showed up again. At least 4 people chose to come visit with me and connect with me in one way or another in the ministry and help support me. On the way home from church, I had planned on washing the car, running on the elliptical and relaxing before a friends' child's birthday party. After that party, I got home and felt God telling me something I'll never forget. He said "this weekend I've been with you more than ever before, why are you holding back to make that phone call I am waiting on.....I am stronger here for you now more than you know." I knew it was time. I sent text messages to my prayer warrior team and started sobbing incredibly knowing that I had to do what God was calling me to do in obedience - not my will. I have never felt my heart throb and pound like this in who knows how long. God provided courage, comfort and prayer through my warrior team. I made that call He wanted me to make.

Now I know where God stands in my life. Obedient calling isn't just a 'feeling,' it's life. I am so thankful for the wonderful people I have in my life who I can depend upon and who want to see me succeed in God's vision for my life. Father, I deeply love who you are making me out to be - a man walking with YOU by my side.

Got a spoon in your pocket?

I used to long to 'stir the pot' with people all the time. I grew up with the mind-set to intentionally say things and get people to react in such a way that I was the focus of the attention. One primary example has to do with how I grew up in Nebraska. I purposely cheered on for the arch-nemesis of the Huskers, the Oklahoma Sooners. I intentionally would 'stir the pot' with classmates, friends and even unknown people around me and push their buttons. Sadly, this way of live bled into the other areas of my life. It made me a very angry and mean person to just about anyone who crossed my path, especially in the discussions regarding football. To this day, I still find myself doing it.

Instead of choosing to follow my old self, I am working on becoming more like Christ. This is one area which I still have much trouble changing being that I am still a big fan of college football and I honestly can admit that I still hate the Huskers. Then I find myself asking why I have such a bitter taste in my mouth. Why do I really find myself feeling this way? Why do I treat God's children (even if they are Husker fans) that way? A big realization was that I was so starved for attention of any type, I would act this way for people to notice me and I'd be the center of attention.

It's been a long haul and I still am convicted every day in my maturation process with Christ in the center of all of it. Therefore, the next time you find yourself intentionally saying things that might be sarcastic, hurtful or otherwise to get a reaction - I challenge you to ask yourself this question. Are you carrying a spoon in your pocket? Are you intentionally stirring the pot for things to happen? Is this your own self doing it or are you being attacked by satan in this world? More specifically, when you are with family or loved ones, do you find yourself 'shooting off at the mouth' with hurtful and even spiteful comments that really do injure those around you?

If this posting has brought you to a crossroads, Praise Christ for it. Then I ask you to pray for His strength to fight another day without doing the 'normal' comfortable ways of living. It's going to be tough to fight the old ways of doing it, but God will reward you in unfathomable ways.