I Am the Ultimate Man

Last night was the beginning of a yearlong competition that will truly test 8 men to find out who among them is the most well-rounded man, it is...The Ultimate Man Championship. This competition was created to test a man in every area of his life...basketball, poker, football, skee-ball, bowling, pool, track, go-karts, putt-putt, darts, nintendo wii...you know, every area of a man's life.

Well last night was the beginning of the competition. The ($300) trophy was unveiled with the most ceremonial of processions. In fact, it took 6 men carrying it in on their shoulders and required a sacrifice every five feet. Last night the competition began with Texas Hold-em No-Limit Poker and a Nintendo Wii home run contest.

I'll spare you the specifics (it was viscious) but it just so happens that I was victorious in both competitions last night. So, as I've been trying to tell my wife for the last nearly ten years, I am the Ultimate Man. Finally, there is a contest to prove it. Don't even try to rain on my parade saying that no true Ultimate Man contest would involve a sissy video game competition. You just keep that to yourself. Why?

Because until someone dethrones me...I am the ULTIMATE MAN.

4:15am

Not much good can happen at 4:15am that I know of. But this morning at 4:15am Rylie woke up screaming like crazy. She was having a bad dream and it scared her. Last night we put Tyler in his big boy bed to see if he could handle staying in there all night. After I heard her I got up to go in and check on her. Admittedly I was more than half asleep walking into her room...but I almost knocked Tyler over. He was the first on the scene...at 4:15am! He was standing by her bed saying "Sis. Sis." I picked him up and laid him down next to her and I laid down next to Tyler. Tyler started rubbing her tummy trying to let her know that everything was okay. It was one of the greatest moments I have had as a father. That's what family does. What a moment.

Busy Day

Sorry for no post today...busy day today...and after work the rest of the day is devoted to fantasy football and steaks. I will have updates soon about my fantasy football league. Adios.

Where'd He Go

Have you ever been walking very closely with the Lord and it happened? You know. One minute your sitting at the table together and the next minute He gets up. One minute everything is great and the next you are scrambling around trying to find out what happened. Well it happened for me last week.

Everything was great, we were walking more closely than at any point in my life...and then BAM. Nothing. No explanation. No warning. Nothing.

Well I think we're back (I'm not sure if I got up from the table or He did) and I think the season has changed.

It's test time baby. At least the Lord gave me the heads up that it was coming.

I panicked a little but I've settled in for study hall. In study hall you had two options...study or sleep. Focus or fellowship. Not mentioning what I chose in high school...or what their names were. (that's right, not her name, their names.)

If it's finals time I'm all in. I don't want to know the answers for the sake of the grade...I want to know what the Teacher knows so that I can do what the Teacher does.

I'm in. I'm focused. I'm off to get my Scantron and some #2 lead. Peace.

That's What I'm Talkin' About

Congratulations to the good reverend Brady Boyd...the newly elected Senior Pastor of New Life Church...over 95% voted in favor of the move. Well done Brady. It has been fun watching the Lord orchestrate this. He is the right man for the job. He is God's man for the job. Wow.

Dream Foursome

This is pretty random.

I was thinking about who my dream foursome would be if I could play a round of golf with 3 other people not related to me...who would they be?

#1 - Billy Graham
This one speaks for itself. What a wealth of wisdom. What insight. What stories. That would be awesome. He could just ride in the cart and read putts.

#2 - Ari Fleischer
Former press secretary for President Bush (W.) before Tony Snow and Scott McClellan. I have always had a lot of respect for anybody who can sit on the hotseat and field questions repeatedly. Ari was incredible at this. McClellan was good, Snow is well-liked, but Ari had game...serious game. I would thoroughly enjoy lunch and a few questions with Ari.

#3 - Michael Jordan
Needs absolutely no explanation. Game-changer. I might be tempted to lay a friendly wager with MJ. My 2 against his 12 handicap...I'd spot him 10 for a steak dinner.

Incidentally, where would we play?

Augusta National of course. Surely Mike could get us on.

Unfortunate News

I read last week about a televangelist and her husband having some problems. I'm sure the details of the "physical nature" of the "conversation" in a hotel parking lot were a little overblown but it is always unfortunate to read about any minister having marital or family problems.

Then today I read that another televangelist and her husband are getting divorced after several years of trouble. I feel for them.

In no way am I being judgemental towards anybody. It really could happen to anyone. But it raises some questions I have about working in God's kingdom.

Can you see that stuff coming?
Is losing my family worth having a global ministry? (Not to me. I just don't care that much)
How does this happen? How could it be avoided? How hard would it be to try and carry on after something like that?

This is an honest question...if I take my focus off of my wife, have I taken my focus off of God?
Can I be trusted with His bride (the church) if I stop taking care of my bride? (I don't just mean divorce...I mean the little things long before divorce ever takes place. And I'm not talking about just these two couples...I'm talking about me too.)

I'm not pretending to have the answers to these questions...just being honest enough to admit I'm asking them.

I feel for these ministers. That's tough.

Don't be judgmental. Remember we're rooting for God's kingdom not against people...whether they minister the same way we do or not.

What Do You Do?

What do you do when you don't know what to do? How do you deal with it?

Do you freak?
Do you wait?
Do you rush?
Do you guess?
Do you stop?
Do you go back?
Do you question?
Do you ask?
Do you quit?
Do you trust?

I've never not known what to do so I don't know the answer.

Yeah right.

I'll let you know if I find the right answer.

If you can answer for yourself though it may help to know your tendency so that the next time you find yourself in that position you know how to combat it and respond correctly.

Me? I don't know what to do and I don't know what to do about it.

Fun combo.

9/11

Wow. Holly and I are watching a deal on September 11 on the Discovery Channel. 2,983 dead. More than 9 years later they still are finding bodies around ground zero.

Do you remember? No flights for 4 days. Stock market shuts down for 6 days...the longest shut down since the Great Depression.

What has been the longterm effect? Has it worn off? Have things gone back to normal. Many people were running to churches all over the country. What did they find? Did it stick?

I need to pray for our troops more. We have been at war for 4 years.

Evil. It's repulsive. It's invasive.

I am grateful I am on the side of righteousness.

Reminders

I have been reminded for the last week or so of several things in my relationship with the Lord...thought I might share a few that might be worth mentioning.

I never have all the answers.

I never know exactly what tomorrow holds.

Doubt is a part of faith.

Uncertainty is a part of faith.

Nothing I have is mine.

Confidence had better come from who he made me to be not what he's given me to do it with.

Without Scripture I'd be a spineless, wandering jellyfish.

There are seasons in life.

The most important thing in my life, no matter what else is happening, is how I walk with Him everyday.

What mattered yesterday doesn't matter today.

He knows. He's just not saying yet.

Steward

I have been a little overwhelmed recently about the issue of stewardship. The Lord has blessed Holly and I in an incredible way financially...but why? What are we to do with it? Invest in our future? Our children's future? His kingdom? Stuff? I have noticed that since we found out that Holly's mom has cancer that we are "over celebrating" God's provision by spending money on all kinds of stuff.

When Holly is hurting the way that she is I tend to become overly extravagant with the "showering of gifts". I hate to see her hurt and I love to see her have more than she wants. She doesn't ask for it. She doesn't even expect it. And I do it anyways. But lately I have been feeling the weight of going overboard. No debt just nothing left to show for the paycheck. Less giving though to God's kingdom (just saying that makes me sick to my stomach).

But it raised some questions between me and the Lord. What is the point of money? What is the point of my possessions? Why do I drive what I drive? Why do I buy what I buy?

Tough questions.

What is the point of money?
Provision for family. Provision for the kingdom. Provision for the future. Helping people.

What is the point of my possessions?
Enjoyment? Honoring God? I'm actually not sure what the point is for sure. I know the Lord wants me to enjoy the fruits of my labor to a point.

Why do I drive what I drive?
Tough one here. If I boil right down to it...I think the answer is pride. I don't have to drive what I drive. So why do I? Because I can? That's not good if that's the reason. After driving Holly's grandmothers 12 year old Cadillac I realized I may drive what I drive because I'm too proud/insecure/shallow/whatever you want to call it. It's just a dumb car...nothing to get an identity over.

Why do I buy what I buy?
Is it mammon? Sometimes. Is it because I can? Sometimes. Is there a purpose for everything I buy? Sometimes. Is there always a need? Sometimes.

Listen. I am not saying a person has to take a vow of poverty to be a part of God's kingdom. I am saying though that what I have is not mine. I didn't get it and I don't get to keep it. For Holly and I we feel that the Lord has given us a great opportunity to advance God's kingdom financially...to give. We don't feel like we are supposed to be amassing more assets for consumption...to keep. We feel that what got us here was giving extravagantly and saving efficiently. We need to back to that place.

I desperately want to advance God's kingdom with my hands, my gifts...and my resources. It's who He made me to be.

I'm not an owner of the business or the profits...I'm just a steward till the owner gets back.

Plenty to Chew On

Came across this online...it's from Mark Batterson...read it slowly and you won't be able to get it out of your head. Pretty salty.

"Quit living as if the purpose of life is to arrive safely at death. Set God-sized goals. Pursue God-ordained passions. Go after a dream that is destined to fail without divine intervention. Keep asking questions. Keep making mistakes. Keep seeking God. Stop pointing out problems and become part of the solution. Stop repeating the past and start creating the future. Stop playing it safe and start taking risks. Expand your horizons. Accumulate experiences. Consider the lilies. Enjoy the journey. Find every excuse you can to celebrate everything you can. Live like today is the first day and last day of your life. Don't let what's wrong with you keep you from worshipping what's right with God. Burn sinful bridges. Blaze a new trail. Criticize by creating. Worry less about what people think and more about what God thinks. Don't try to be who you're not. Be yourself. Laugh at yourself. Quit holding out. Quit holding back. Quit running away. Chase the lion!"

Wow.

When Your Tired

It's been a long day. The travel has taken it's toll on the entire family today. We left Holly's parents home in California around 11am...drove an hour to the airport...sat at the airport for 2 1/2 hours...flew 3 hours...sat at the airport for 30 minutes...waited on our bags for 30 minutes...went to dinner and got home at 10pm...now that's a long day with 3 kids under 5. Entertaining to say the least.

Not much good comes from me when I'm tired. I'll say that right upfront. Not much good comes from you either when you're tired. I am never more weak than when I am tired. Be careful when you are tired. It's easy to make bad decisions, embrace negativity, carry undue burdens, get confused. Maybe that's one of the reasons God desires us to experience rest at least one day a week.

So it is to bed with this thought...

Go after a dream that is destined to fail without divine intervention.

I'm all about Intervention.

Sick to My Stomach

I just read this article titled "Scientists expect to create life in next 10 years" (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20249628/>1=10252).

I'm not even sure that words can describe what I'm feeling right now. All I can say is I'm nautious. Creating life? Are you serious?

Listen to the qoute that make me want to puke...

“Creating protocells has the potential to shed new life on our place in the universe,” Bedau said. “This will remove one of the few fundamental mysteries about creation in the universe and our role.”

It will be a while before sustainable life is in the conversation..but why try? It seems to be so against God's plan. When is it ever good to remove a fundamental mystery about God and his creation when He Himself is not the one to remove it?

This is a bad idea.

End of Vacation Thoughts

Today is the last day of vacation here in incredible Visalia, Ca. I thought I would share some of my thoughts from the past two weeks...

Camping is the perfect place for toddlers who like to make a mess and me not have to worry about it.

Phones cannot swim in pools. Nor can they survive a from a dip in the pool. No, not my iPhone...Holly's phone.

Hiking is for people with nothing to do. You can drive to the top and if you can't do that just buy the dvd.

Anytime 18 people get together for anything for a sustained period of time...there's bound to be "entertainment".

Holly can eat smores like that guy who swallows hot dogs for a living.

Life without tv is preferable...life without the internet...wellllll.

When Costco is the only fun thing to do in a town...make it happen...it's better than jail.

Coke is of the devil.

The Lord always seems to withdraw for a period of time while I'm on vacation...it seems to be becoming a theme...I think He wants me to just rest.

Jared Anderson may be my artist in America right now. (Check out "Coming Your Way" on Youtube...spectacular)

Sleeping in the same room as your kids for 2 weeks is a spiritual discipline...that I may not possess.

Vacation is where I visit...not where I live. I love my job.

I am a gift to my wife. Perhaps the best she's ever received besides salvation. What a sec..I may have gotten that backwards...Holly is the best gift I have ever received besides salvation.

I love spending time with my kids...especially when we are all laughing.

When two people come together before God in agreement with his will...awesome things happen. Legacies are created. Inheritances are built up.

All vacations come to an end...Thank God. Back to work manana. Can't wait.

Huge

When I spend a decent amount of time away from home the same thing happens every time...I realize God's kingdom is bigger than my city. There really are other churches out there besides mine, there really are big cities out there bigger than mine, there really are other great restaurants out there better than in my city, there are more beautiful places than where I live, there are incredible people everywhere.

Sometimes my pea sized brain has a tendency to minimize God's kingdom to what I can see. His kingdom is huge. People are walking into relationship with God right now in churches all across the country. Not just mine. There is great worship happening in churches all over the country not just in mine.

One of the things I have always thought that I did well was carry a "kingdom perspective". One of the things constantly coming out of my mouth is "this is a kingdom not a castle". But the Lord brought something to my attention...I carry a burden for what is happening in my portion of his kingdom and that's it. I felt the Lord asking me if I wanted to carry a burden for a house or nation. What a thought. Why does it matter? I'm not sure yet but I know this...my faith is increased when I keep in perspective just how big His kingdom is because it reminds me of just how big my God is.

I think the reason I stay focused on what is going on in my portion of the kingdom is that it fits nicely in the box...no mess, no stress. When I start to pick up the burden for other churches, other ministries, other pastors I feel the Lord stretching me and my perspective...and sometimes I feel Him calling me to more. So I keep my head down and my eyes on my road.

From God's perspective it has to be incredible watching from heaven right now how much great ministry is going on in 1,000's of churches, how many great messages are being preach by great preachers all over the world, how much great evangelism is happening at tables in restaurants all over the country, how many people are lifting His name up through worship with one accord in so many churches at this very moment. What a site. It's happening everywhere.

Nothing

Sometimes doing nothing is doing something. Sometimes doing nothing is just what the doctor ordered. Such is the case this weekend. Holly's family went to a family reunion and Holly and I and the kids all stayed home and laid by the pool all day.

Rest is a gift. It's God's design (not his desire) to take it every seventh day. I need to do better. I need more of this.

More of nothing.

Article Thoughts

Just read an article on churchrelevance.com about an article by a guy who wrote his 10 top ministry management principles and church relevance highlighted a few of them...here they are with my thoughts about me and Seven right now...

#2 :: Plan for Growth
Remember that people follow people with a plan. Have a plan for spiritual growth, organizational growth, and numerical growth.
I think we have done a pretty decent job with this one. It's been a little bit of a batle between me and the Lord though. I felt like the Lord wanted me to start Seven downstairs in the auditorium rather than ever meet upstairs in the "Great Room"...I chickened out. I thought "what if we only have 40 people show up to the first service? I'll look like an idiot with only 40 downstairs in the auditorium. Well we had over 100 but it still took about 4 months. The point to me has always been let's put ourselves in the best position to influence the most people for the kingdom of God. Now the struggle is when to put down the curtains and open up the entire sanctuary. Soon. Real soon.

#3 :: Get Some Help
Make some calls. Network. Read a book. Listen to a CD. Get a Mentor. Don’t try to reinvent the wheel.
Not my strength. I have goten better over the years but this is definitely not my strength. I read, have mentors, get counsel, leverage the creativity of others, but my problem is in getting help from people not because I can't cast the vision (never been a problem) but because I struggle with helping them once their onboard. I have never had a problem getting people on board...the problem comes once they are all in. I need people around me who are detail people, who can help plug people in. I can get them in, but I need help plugging them in.

#6 :: Plan for Interruptions
When everything is said and done, there is more said than done. Things don’t always happen as you plan them.
Tough to do. Holly's mom. Baby #3. Growth explosion. Connecting with so many people who want to hear the vision and sign up immediately...that one takes more energy than you might think. But I feel like I have protected my time much more in Seven than with youth because I feel the Lord challenging me to do what I do best and find others to help me with the rest.

When I think about all that God has done through Seven so far I get overwhelmed. We have tripled in Seven months. It's incredible how many great people He has drawn to what he is doing. This past week has been a week where the Lord has allowed me to celebrate what has happened with Seven thus far. What a ride. What an explosion. What impact we are about o make in the DFW area. He decided it was time and I'm grateful I have been given a front row seat.

Rebel Forces

I was driving down the road just now and out of nowhere the Lord said,

"The only thing that hurts me worse than disciplining one of my children is watching one of them rebel. It breaks my heart."

That started an interesting conversation that is continuing as I write this.

What a father.

This Is Gonna Hurt Me More Than It Hurts You

Have you ever heard that before? If your parents ever spanked you your answer is probably yes. I heard it. I can't remember how many times or when but I remember hearing it. My first thought whenever I heard my dad say that was "okay, I'd love to make it easy on you, let me spank you". To a child "this is gonna hurt me more than it hurts you" makes no sense and almost seems like a show-up. Nothing could be further from the truth.

We are still in California with Holly's parents with the rest of Holly's family...EVERYBODY. All of my nephews and nieces are here and have been together for the last 9 days. Typically my kids are well-behaved but when we get around family or other kids for this long, as many kids do, they get a little too comfortable with doing things their own way. I have been dealing with it when it comes up but I have been noticing that one of my kids has been having some trouble obeying. Last night it reached a breaking point. And that usually means a spanking.

For some reason last night this one hurt me more than it hurt her. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I would say that. "This is gonna hurt me" is one of things you promise yourself when you're 12 that you'll never say to your kids "when I grow up". It's not something you just say...it is without a doubt something you feel. It hurts to correct your children. It really hurts. Them and you.

But last night as I was talking to them about the reason for punishment I was getting sick to my stomach. It was excruciating. Everything in me wanted to just give out a kitchen pass and say don't ever let it happen again. But I can't. Correction is God's way of doing things. But that doesn't make it any easier. In fact it makes it more difficult. I was telling the Lord the whole time that I didn't want to do it, but I knew I had to.

I did.

And afterwards, as always, I felt much better. I always feel better once it's over. Not just because it's over though. I always feel better afterwards because after a spanking we always have some pretty intense "love" time. I always pick them up and hold them, tell them how much I love them, how special they are to me, how much I hate to have to spank, and sometimes I have even cried with them.

But this what daddies do. Mine did it with me. It is largely responsible for helping shape who I am (spiritually and physically...get it? The "board of cleansing" shaped who I am. Never mind.) I know it hurt my parents to have to spank, I just never knew it was this much.

So as the pain of having to discipline was overwhelming me last night I asked the Lord a few questions.

"Is this how you feel when you have to correct me?"

"Worse."

"What was worse...dying for me or disciplining me?"

"It's a toss up. It hurts that bad."

"You gotta be kidding me."

"No. Every time I correct one of my kids I go through it. It is excruciating. But it is a righteous process."
"And as you do with your children, I have done for centuries with mine. Some of the most intense "love" times I have had with you Preston are immediately following a time of correction. One of my favorite moments in your life is immediately following when I discipline you and you come humbly back to me. It is a moment I cherish. It is the way I designed it to work. One of the greatest gifts I have given you is your children but as with every gift I give there is a level of responsibility that goes with the gift and this gift is one of your greatest areas of responsibility. Correction is difficult for everyone involved. But it is the path of righteousness. It's one of those difficult but easy decisions that has to be made by every great parent. It's just what daddies do."

Just Like His Dad

I was watching the kids today while Holly went with her mom to a doctor's appointment. I gave Preston a bottle and put him to bed then spent some time with Tyler. The boy eats like a horse. But we were just kickin' back watchin' a little Cars (his favorite) and he was in a pretty latchy mode. But as I was watching him and I started to realize how many things he does that I do, how much he looks me. It got me thinking...I wonder how many times God looks at me and thinks the same thing. Of course right off the bat I would say never...but I was made in his image...when he looks at me he sees himself...what a thought. What's crazier is the thought that he could be as proud of me as I am of Tyler. Why is it that we very rarely think of ourselves in this light? That we have such a hard time understanding that God loves seeing himself in us? Don't know the answer. All of Tyler's life people will say "He's just like his dad" same goes for me...I hope.

Diving Board Princess

Rylie jumped off of a diving board today.

She beat me by 5 years...that's my girl...hopefully this is the first of many "beat me's". I know that it is.

It was spectacular.

I'm Back Muchachos Y Muchachas

Great trip...great time with the fam...great time with the Lord...great time of rest.

I blogged a little bit on my phone while I was in the canyon so I will backpost them when I originally made the post.

Weightlifting

I'm stlll a little sore after the climb. I may not have mentioned it
yesterday but I carried a backpack of probably 12 pounds. It
surprisingly made me a lot more tired. I had never carried a pack
before and I realized something pretty quickly...extra weight sucks.

It got me thinking...so I asked the Lord about it..."Lord, why do we
carry unnecessary weight around on the journey? It doesn't make any sense
to me."

The answer I believe is very individual and depends on the personality
and habits of the person. But for me the answer the Lord gave me for
why I do it was pride.

The Lord said "You refuse give it to me because you want to prove you
can make it to the top without putting it down." I have never thought
about that at all...not even a little. I can see it though. I can
see it in my relationship with God and my dad. It's always been
there. Like in my relationship with my dad, I have always been
trying to prove that I can do it...no matter what "it" is.

So what are you carrying that you need to put down? I promise you
this...it would be a whole lot easier to get to the top of if you'd just
put it down.

Try it. You might like it.

Hola Yogi

Just had a bear in camp eating the dog food. Good times. The bull
mastif never barked once. Nice work you dumb dog. My kids never even
woke up...but Holly did...panicking. Good times, good times.

To The Top

So I just hiked up 1,200 ft of mountain in 2 miles and hiked another mile
to get to the top...beast to say the least.

But I learned some great lessons during the climb that may apply to the life journey. Here
they are.

The right equipment is essential no matter how dumb it looks.

As bad as you want to get to the top...don't think about it too
much...it just makes the journey seem longer and harder.

Take someone with you. You're less likely to quit that way.

Plateaus are a gift. Use them to your advantage. REST.

Don't worry if people pass you. It's not their journey...it's yours.
Besides, it's not a race.

Don't carry unnecessary weight. It only slows you down.

I'm a wuss. I could have quit several times without even thinking
about it.

Don't listen to people coming down the mountain you're going up. They
always lie about how close you are.

The greater the mountain the greater the celebration.

You're far more capable than you think. Don't second guess your
strengths.

Panoramic views are from God and he doesn't wait till the top to
reveal them.

Every journey is full of revelation...you just need to listen.

Nourishment is essential. Eat big meals before and snack along the way.
The journey can't be made without food.

Little streams are refreshing. When you find one jump in and stay
awhile.

People who don't ever make the journey won't ever understand the
struggle or the celebration.

Some of the best dialogue with the Lord comes not at the top but the
whole way up.

I'm tired...but satisfied with my journey.

Assurance

Has God ever asked you to go somewhere you've never been before? How did you respond? Did you go? Did you drag your feet? Were you scared?

Did you take someone with you? Did you go it alone?

Last night we got to Holly's parents house really late and the kids were absolutely exhausted. I put Tyler in bed and he was so tired that he was really afraid and screaming bloody murder. It lasted several hours...not the screaming but his refusal to lay down and give it up.

I tried rocking him, telling him stories, singing to him (that probably made it worse), I tried bottles, I tried bribes. None of it worked.

Then Rylie (whose mothering instincts are greatly increasing right before my eyes everyday) walks into to the room. Now remember, this little round and round had been happening for 2 hours. Ryile walks in and grabs a pillow and a blanket and says to me "Daddy I'll get in the crib with him. He'll sleep better." She did and she was right, he did. In less than 5 minutes.

He needed the assurance that I wasn't going anywhere. He was not in the mood to be abandoned...even if I only went to the next room. I was close but Rylie was closer. I laid by him Rylie laid with him. I said "it will be okay buddy", Rylie said "I'm not going anywhere".

He needed the promise of proximity not just a picture of it. I know how he felt. I am the same way.

But what if He asks you to go it alone?

That's just it. He has assured you you never will.

"I will NEVER leave you or forsake you."

Final Thoughts

We're off for a little r and r in "beautiful" Fresno. We'll be camping for the first 5 days and I can already tell the Lord is getting me ready for some serious time away with him.

I'm not sure if I'll be able to blog from my trusty little iPhone but if I can find service among the 200 foot sequoias I'm all in. But if I can't the second I get back to civility and a wifi I'll backpost my entries to catch up.

I'm looking forward to doing nothing. Looking forward to what is ahead. Looking forward to hearing God without distraction.

Post Service Flush

May have been the most I've ever given away in a message before.

God is speaking very clearly.

When you walk close, and you ask, He gives immediately.

When Rylie says "I love you" time stands still.

I care too much about what people think.

God is doing something through Seven. It's undeniable.

I'm ready for vacation.

This vacation will be significant.

I love the team I'm on at Gateway. From my senior pastor to my newest volunteer.

My "not very much" is just enough to God.

My "not very much" is everything I have.

My "not very much" is the beginning of God's miracle.

God knows what I need.

Good people leave good churches. It's okay.

Never minimize what God is doing down to one person. It's so much bigger than us.

I need to lighten up.

I am still learning. Hope it never stops.

I love golf. I care about nothing there. Except my score.

Why so many one-liners?

My wife is incredible. She juggles better than anyone I know.

Glad we're partners. Glad she gives me grace.

I am ready for vacation.

Just Tell Him

Tell God.

Whatever it is. Request. Repentance. Fear. Thanks. Need. Apology. Hope. Doubt. Greatness. Sin. Anger. Problem.

Tell God.

It always gets better once you do.

Tell God.

Don't hold back. Don't hold anything back. It never works. It only makes things worse.

Just tell Him.

Amazed By You

Lord I am amazed by you. How you operate is amazing. How you love us is amazing. Words cannot express. It is amazing.

One of our pastors called me yesterday after a wedding he did in Pampa, Texas. Pampa is in the panhandle region of Texas if you weren't quite sure. There was a couple at the wedding that used to attend our church before they moved out to Pampa.

Apparently I gave them a prophetic word when they first got married about their first child. This was several years ago. Before the child had been born or even conceived.

They got pregnant and found out that there were complications with the baby. The doctor said that some spots on the brain had developed and that these spots would cause the child to be severely retarded and physically disabled. The doctor said that it would be best if they aborted the baby before it was to late.

The couple went home to pray about it for several weeks and while they did they went back to the tape of the prophetic word the Lord had given them that I delivered. The word was that this child would be a John the Baptist, one who advances God's kingdom, one who would walk in God's favor. There was more to the word but that was the gist. They listed to the word everyday and stood on the promise that God had given them.

Weeks later they went back to the doctor and took more sonograms. The problem had worsened. Big time. It had spread all over the baby's body. The doctor again strongly directed the parents to abort the child because if they did not it would surely mean a life of pain and struggle for the child and an even greater inconvenience to the parents taking care of the child.

The parents stood strong. They stood on the promise that God had given them. They were unwavering.

Several months later the baby was born. Surprise. No problems. Not one. Not one spot, not one issue, not one hair out of place.

They relayed to this pastor this story and asked that he thank me for them for giving them that word to hold on to.

When you hear a story like that you can't help but be excited, be grateful. I am grateful that God spoke his promise to them. That years before they needed it He gave them a promise to stand on in times of great trial. I am grateful he used me to do it.

Actually, I'm amazed.

"I Love It When They Say That"

I was thinking just now about what I love or would love to hear my kids say to me.

An unsolicited "Daddy I love you".
Top of my list. Nothing like it.

"Thank you Daddy"
Fastest way to get even more of all that I have and all that is available to me.

"Can we go somewhere Daddy? Just me and you and no one else."
I don't care where it is. Whenever my kids want to go somewhere just with Daddy, daddy will make it happen.

"Daddy, will you lay with me?"
Love this one. Sometimes intimacy is talking. Sometimes it's even more intimate to just be still, be quiet, and be close. Not a bad way to end the day either.

"Daddy, will you pray for me."
At 4 Rylie doesn't always know what to pray. She can't really see the big picture that I see at 29. It's like she instinctively knows this. She loves when I pray for her. I think it's because I cover what she can't. It's funny how she can't go to sleep til I pray for her. What a gift.

"Daddy I'm afraid."
I know this sounds weird. Everybody deals with fear. I want to know what scares my kids. As their father I can help them overcome their fears and protect them from what scares them. Nothing brings out my protective side faster than this one.

"I'm so glad you're my daddy."
May sound bad to you but sometimes it's just good to hear that out of all of the daddy's in the world that I'm glad you are mine. Quite the compliment.

"Daddy please don't leave."
I hear this almost every morning before I leave for work. The more they say it the more I want to stay with them.

There's nothing like being a father. The only thing better than being a father is being the son of a good father.

When was the last time you said any of these things to your Father? As much as I love hearing these things from kids He loves hearing it from his even more.

Try it sometime. He loves it when you say that.

A Dream Come True

If you plan on reading this blog for any amount of time you will see a recurring theme. Gratitude. It's who I am not just what I do. Why? Because God is so good. There isn't anything in my life that I deserve. When I look at all of His blessings I immediately get overwhelmed at what a great father he is to me. My wife. My kids. His favor. My life. My calling. His anointing. My family. His blessings. It never stops. He is so good to me. I am truly overwhelmed.

I was laying in bed last night talking to Holly just overwhelmed at what God is doing right now. I am living the life that I have dreamt of since I was 14. No, it has very little to do with what I do for a living. It has everything to do with just walking with Him. I know it sounds cheesy. I don't care.

It never stops. He is constantly speaking. I can't remember it ever being like this. I feel like I am in closer proximity to Him now than ever before. It is my dream come true. I don't care what I do for a living. I don't care where I am. All I want is to be with Him. The richness that comes from walking intimately is better than anything on earth.

I was talking to my dad the other day about where I am in life right now. I couldn't even articulate how I feel about what God is doing. It's too difficult to put into words. It feels impossible to even try.

This isn't to brag one bit. If nothing else it's to advertise the fact that God desires every one of us to walk so intimately with him that we never withdraw from him. He is a father...he just wants to be with you.

Get away. Withdraw from the stuff. from the people. Withdraw with him. It's worth it.

Do that and your dreams will come true.

Simple

I just put Rylie to bed and I started talking to her about Jesus. When is it time to talk to your kids about Jesus? I mean really talk to them. Not just mention Jesus. Well tonight I really started talking to her about Jesus. What do you say? How do you make it where she can understand? What is too much?

Simple. Make it simple.

We make relationship with God too difficult. We overthink it, overdo it, overkill it.

Here's what Rylie understands about Jesus after tonight...that one of his favorite things is watching her swim at the pool, Jesus really loves that...he loves watching her as she sleeps, because Jesus is right by her bed at night, because he loves her that much to never fall asleep...he loves when she wakes up because he gets to watch what outfit she will pick out...he loves her clothes...he doesn't like bad dreams...he can help us have good dreams...he loves her even more than I do.

Theological??? Immensely...I don't even have time to explain all of the theological doctrines mentioned in that talk (nor do I want to). But she got it...her little mind was running all over. "How can Jesus be in heaven and by my bed?" "Cause he's God...he's everywhere".

If you might have gotten off track in your relationship with God maybe it's because it's gotten too complicated, too theological...kill the "ology". Ology means study of.

Is your relationship with God just your study of God or is it your walk with him? Sometimes in church we get so caught up with studying God that we forget we are walking with him.

Think about marriage for a sec...which would you rather have...someone who studies you or someone who loves you, walks with you? Easy. Simple.

Yep. It is. When it's working at it's best.

Just simple enough for a child.

Imagine

Imagine being 21 still in college. The phone rings and it is a pastor from Texas wanting to talk to you about coming on staff as the part-time youth pastor. You ask how many people go to the church and the pastor says almost 100. He wants you to move from Phoenix where your girlfriend (and soon to be wife) is and leave the church where you are presently working (a church of almost 1,000). He wants to pay you less than what a teacher makes and wants you to start as soon as you can. What would you do?

Imagine being 27 and being pursued by the largest church in America to be their youth pastor. Imagine them wanting you bad enough to let you bring your staff with you and pay everybody even better than what they were presently being payed. Imagine when you ask this pastor how many people go to his church and his answer is "almost 30,000". Imagine the influence you could have when God marries the vision he has put in you with the largest church in America. Imagine the possibilities. What would you do?

What a life. The Lord was reminding me of this little story this morning. This story is a part of my story. It's my life. I said yes to 100 and no to 30,000. Why? I'm not in it for advancement in man's eyes. I'm in it to be obedient to God.

Imagine what's next.

Never Would Have Guessed

I did something yesterday that I swore I would never ever do. I have spent all of my life railing the fact that this particular piece of apparel was so ridiculous looking. People have always said that they were "so functional and comfortable". I don't care. They look ridiculous.

Maybe it means that as I turn 30 that I have crossed over the "what it looks like" crowd to the "what it feels like" crowd. Surely not.

So here it is...

I bought my kids Tevas for our camping trip next week.

Who would have guessed it? Not me!

What? They're comfortable.

Lightning Speed

No I am not talking about my 100 meter dash time. At almost 30 I think an eighteen wheeler could beat me to the line. But that's neither here nor there.

What I'm really talking about is how fast life moves. My kids are getting so big so fast. The boys are really starting to get latchy with me. Preston is nearly as big as Tyler and Tyler is starting to talk so much. Tyler said golf club this morning for the first time. Come on, that's what I'm talking about. Kids spend too much time trying to master the "important" words like "Mama, Dada, Baba, More". How about really important words like golf club? Now we're in business.

I was sitting here watching Tyler eat breakfast and I thought to myself about how God must feel about the speed of my life. When you think about someone enduring cancer for years think about how quick those "years" seem to God. Then the Lord reminded me of this...

“Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered, and that my life is fleeing away. My life is no longer than the width of my hand. An entire lifetime is just a moment to you; human existence is but a breath.” Psalms 39:4-5 NLT

We aren't given a life, we are given a few moments. Don't miss them. Don't waste them. Don't take them for granted...one day your child is saying golf club and the next he is buying his own. Relish the opportunities God gives you.

I have one right now...Tyler and I are about to watch his favorite movie together...CARS.

Vroom Vroom.

Sit. Leave. Wait. Follow

I'm a mover. I don't like to sit still. But the Lord keeps reminding me about the value of waiting for him to say go. Anybody can leave. Few can endure till it's time. Brady...endured till it was time and I believe God is honoring him because of it. But not everybody goes that route.

David waited. Absolom left. Who's kingdom lasted longer?

It's so easy to jump ship. To leave. To go it your own way. To abandon God's plan and do your own thing. Going isn't always God's will. Waiting often times is. There are times when I feel I am sitting. But then the Lord reminds me that I am waiting. BIG difference. Many who sit end up doing something God never intended for them to do. When you sit you day dream...cause you're not doing anything else let alone anything constructive. When you wait you steward every moment. And when it's time you are ready.

I spent some time with someone today that probably went to early. Can you succeed if you move to quickly? Sure you can. Does it come at a bit of a price? Probably does. It hurts to watch...no matter who it is.

So for me it comes down to this...I don't want to leave. I want to follow. I refuse to leave. I am determined to follow. I'll follow the Lord wherever he leads. And He promised he would.

How about You? Going anywhere anytime soon? Or just happy to be following His lead?

Qualifications

I love how big of a deal qualifications are to everyone. "He's unqualified. She doesn't have the background. He's only pastored 200." I know I have had those thoughts before as much as I hate to admit it. How stupid of me. We are resume yo-yo's. If what is on the resume is stellar we are all in. But if something shows up that is less than desirable...we're out in a flash. We disqualify. Weak.

Why would I ever think that anything I have ever done would qualify me for what God created to me to accomplish? Nothing qualifies me for something that big. Nothing qualifies you for something as big as what God created you to accomplish. NO-THING. No job. No salary. No title. No staff. No endorsement.

Here is what qualifies you: God. If you are God's man or woman for the job, that's all you need. The best place to be is in that place where you say "God this is impossible. I can't do this." To which God says "I know but I can. Watch this."

So many times through Scripture God chose to use men and women who seemed so "unqualified". He did so because if the vessel looks too qualified they will get the glory. I remember reading a story in the Bible where God used a boy who spent too much time in a field, gave him a stone, gave him an opportunity, and that "unqualified" little boy changed a nation with that silly little stone.

That's what happens when God qualifies you. You make history. Qualify that.

Last Words

If you only had five minutes to live who would you spend it with? What would you say to them? What would you do?

That's tough.

If it were to happen today...right now...I would say to Holly:

You were the greatest gift God ever gave me. I couldn't have lived without you. Move on. Find love again. Find someone who can help you raise our children. Keep giving. Teach our kids how. Teach them to walk in the fear of the Lord. Love them for me. Tell them how much their daddy was in love with them. Tell them I will see them again . I love you more than life itself. You are my hero.

To Rylie:

Sweetheart I love you so much. There were so many days of my life that you were the highlight. The star of the show. I dreamt of you before I even met mommy. I knew you would be my first. It was God's plan...not just my desire. My life went to an entirely new level when you were born. The Lord took me to a place where I never dreamt I could go...all because of you. Some of the best revelation the Lord ever gave me came as a result of you. You were born to worship. It's who you are. Steward your gift. Share it with people. It will bring them life. At least I never had to give you away on your wedding day. I never would have...I loved you too much for it to be matched by any other man in my eyes. He better be great. He will be great. I prayed for it so many times and mommy still will every day. You deserve the best.


Tyler:

Son, my first born son, I am crying as I write this to you but I want you to know that I love you so much. More than your hands raised to the sky. I love you. Having a son changed my life. Having you changed it all. You have God's favor. It's all over you. Many doors will open for you but it doesn't mean you should walk through them. God has annointed you in ways I even have a hard time comprehending. don't take it for granted. Give, GIve, Give. God put you where you are for a purpose. It's not to keep...it is to give. Give it all. Don't hold back. I love you. Take care of mommy and Rylie. I am so proud of you my little man. And take care of the dogs...their bird finding machines.

Preston:

Man of God. Favored one. It's all over you too. God has given you a mantle son. It goes even back before your grandfather and his father. Dream it. Build it. Steward it. Leverage it. It will come easy for you. You will start beyond where I finished. You will lead many and be a part of many changed lives. It's not about you, it's not because of you. It's all God. But you have a gift. The gift to communicate...you get that from me. YOu have the gift of compassion...you get that from mommy. Mommy will help you navigate the waters of ministry. She is a deep well. Tap into it. It will save you time and heartache. The greatest job in the whole world is hearing God and sharing it with a captive audience. Don't be in a hurry. God knows the best timing.

As a kid I dreamt of being a husband and being a father. But never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be so blessed to have it so good as I did being your husband and your father. I will love you forever. So forever it is.


Wow. I didn't plan on this post going that direction. Nonetheless, there it is.

Thank you Lord.

Seek Ye First

I hate to see my kids root against each other. My parents hated to see me root against my brothers growing up. I wonder how much God hates seeing me not root for the people around me.

Why do I not root for my teammates? Am I too competitive? Am I too insecure? Am I to proud? Am I too selfish? Yes. Yes. Yes. And yes. I want the kingdom to win. And when the kingdom wins I want to be excited...whether it's because of me or because of you. Whether it's because of my church or your church.

I am rooting for Brady. I will be praying for Brady. I think he can do it...not because he's qualified...I think he can do it because he just might be God's man for the job. What a ride!

Root for your teammates. Believe it or not you're not competing against them.