Quickies

Please God help my Heels win it all.

Excited about going to the Final Four next weekend.

Holly is God's gift to me.

Do it yourself

Give it time and let it breathe.

Relax, they're younger than you remember sometimes.

Honest people can have my time.

Liars are a waste of time.

Enjoy every step without looking to the next one too much

Imitation is the best sign of influence

Influence, Influence, Influence

I can always do better, humility always wins

Real humility

I forget the wrong things and remember the wrong things...stop it.

Jesus didn't just say "Follow me" he said "Be like me" as well.

I'm not who I was.

He Told Me To

Today is the 3rd Sunday I have had off this year. Other than for vacation time I have not had 3 Sundays of in what seems like 2 years. This is awesome. I get more time with my family on Sundays than on any other day of the week. So the thought has started to repeatedly occur to me..."Why would I give this day up for the rest of my life?"

The only answer there is, happens to be "Because He told me to".

Simple obedience. Wish I were more heroic than that, but I am not. I have no other option but to obey, but man, I really like having Sundays off. "You'll have all of eternity for that."

Criticism

There's something in life that I have absolutely no respect (or tolerance) for...it is criticism with no commitment. Do you realize how easy it is to be negative? Very easy. It is even easier to criticize with absolutely no equity in what you are criticizing. We criticize things we have no stake of equity in all the time...commercials, lousy products, bad meals, friends' churches, each other.

Here's what I have learned while at Gateway over the last 9 years...people will criticize something God is miraculously doing. There will never be a time where everything you do makes every single person happy. As a leader, you need to be okay with that.

Here's what I used to do...someone would criticize what I was doing and I would completely change what I was doing for them, whether it was the Lord or not. You know what you call that? People pleasing. What's really great is when you change what they wanted hoping it will appease them and they are still not happy with you. Save yourself the trouble...hear God's instruction more than you hear man's deconstruction.

Hear my heart on this, I am not saying that all criticism is bad. I have received some great criticism from even oh, say, a spiritual father, that has completely changed the way I do ministry for the better. Criticism can be a powerful tool for growth...when it comes from someone committed to you.

Here's how I would sum this up in a one-liner...

Spend more time listening to "family members" with a different perspective or opinion than you do listening to non-committed critics.

For those being criticized, don't tune out your critics...they might be right once in a while.

For those that make a habit of non-committed criticism, be careful what and who you criticize because if they're wise, they'll ask you what you are doing about it. :)

Quick Hits

Seven was off the hook last night.

Get the podcast if you missed it...lots of one-liners

P90X is a great addition to our lives.

Fantasy Basketball playoffs start in a week and a half and I dominated the regular season.

Taking Tyler to the ER was not nearly as bad as I thought...thanks to Tyler!

Be careful with your words.

Just because you're having a bad day doesn't mean I should join in on the fun.

Family is a gift from God.

Serotonin is your friend.

Yoga is not at all what I expected...gotta be strong to pull it off.

I'm tired of hearing about bailouts with my money.

My outlook on life changes when I work out...much more healthy.

This may be the most generous phase of my life to this point...it seems like all I want to do is give right now...to anyone or any organization God tells me to give to.

I want to make a great employee, but an even better son.

If every message were like last night's I would want to preach everyday...ok, maybe not.

Sure hope my Tarheels are at the Final Four with me.

Sometimes We Have To Walk Through It

Just read this...

http://www.joelstockstill.com/?p=190

I wish we didn't have to walk through difficulties. I wish we could have perfect lives with no pain. It's not realistic though. It is those seasons of struggle, uncertainty, and pain that help me show compassion to others.

I wish I understood why things like this happened to people who give their lives to ministry. If I were to be completely forthright I would say that it really upsets me. I hurt for Joel and cannot imagine what the last year has been like. Lord, bless him and everything his hands touch. Give him peace, comfort, clarity, and strength.

Help me to be soft-hearted and compassionate toward all those around me. Minimize my learning the hard way.

Let It Flow

I am still processing all that God did in me friday night at C3. TD Jakes was the speaker and I had a 2nd row seat for it thanks to my best friend Timmy Ross.

I don't want to explain why the following ministered to me so I'll just give you the highlghts of 90 minutes of Bishop bliss as he covered 2 Kings 4:1-8...

-Elisha went thru mentorship before leadership
-Elisha started out wanting the mantle, then he just wanted the man (me, me, me)
-You know you are God's man based on the amount of trouble he exposes you to.
-God will promote you to your threshold of pain
-God's gonna give you an opportunity to use what you've got, but He'll do it through trouble
-Pray the answer, not the problem (nasty)
-What is in your house?
-Sometimes we spend too much time analyzing "how much they've got" that we forget what we've got.
-If all you're asking for is ordinary, you are not ready to talk to God...ask for the extraordinary! (solid)
-When God asks you a question, something is about to happen.
-Revelation is simply God shining the light on something you have already overlooked! (I'll take it)
-First God forms it, then he fills it
-Don't ask for too little, you might offend the supplier

It was an awesome night and one I really needed. Grateful for some of the dna I get from Bishop through Tim. God takes such great care of us all.

Not So Fast

I was listening to the radio on the way home from work today and a someone being interviewed made the suggestion that instead of the government helping all the people who have not been making their mortgage payments that they should give a reward to those that have been faithfully making their payment for years.

My first reaction embarrasses me a little. I thought, "Yeah, you're right. All 'those' people are ruining the economy for the rest of us. Don't reward them for making horrible financial decisions. Reward me for doing the right thing. I deserve that money more than someone who will waste it."

What an idiot. I really didn't see anything wrong with this reaction. To my natural mind it just made sense. "Not so fast", the Lord says.

Here were the problems the Lord showed me about my thought process:

I felt I deserved more than someone else.

I felt I was right and worse, justified.

I was ignorant of my ignorance.

I forgot that it could happen to me.

Everything I have is a blessing from the Lord. It could all change tomorrow. My job is not guaranteed. Holly's job is not guaranteed. It all comes from Him. And if I have been given enough to weather this economic season why would I even think it would be okay to take from those that need it more so that I could get more?

Lord I am grateful. You are so good to me. Help me to be more merciful.

Happy February 14th Day

I don't celebrate Valentine's Day, with Holly or Rylie. I am not a fan...never have been except when I was single, that is. That's who Valentine's Day is for...singles. This may come out wrong but oh well if it does...Valentine's Day is not like an anniversary...and it better not be the only time in February you romance your spouse (or date I guess). Yes, I said February. Sadly enough many people need a holiday marked on the calendar to be extravagant towards their spouse. That doesn't fly with me, and it probably doesn't fly with your spouse either. Everyone loves to be pursued, everyone. Even the person who acts as if they have no need to be pursued is acting that way to get people to chase them because EVERYONE loves to be pursued.

Why is it that when I say that I don't celebrate Valentine's Day that people say sarcastically, "Oh, because you're romantic everyday and don't need Valentine's Day?" Well, yes, at least I hope so. Obviously I am not on my game everyday, but I try to be. Oh, and I've learned that any woman with the sarcasm wishes their boyfriend/husband treated them the way I treat Holly and any man with the sarcasm is embarassed because he knows his girlfriend/wife wishes for more romantic pursuit than he's probably giving. This is not arrogance, it's honest observation.

Listen, I have been called to love Holly the way Christ loved the church...I don't take that lightly. I love the church. In fact, the only things I love more than the church are my wife, Rylie, Tyler, Preston, God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. I love the church. But He loves the church infinitely more than I do. I try to love Holly the way He loves the church.

Let me say, I am no where near perfect! Not even close. This is one of the reasons that I pursue Holly the way I do...it's because I am such an idiot. I can't control how stupid I am sometimes...it just happens. I can though, control my pursuit of Holly. Romance is simply effort. You just have to want to try. Anyone can be romantic. Romance is not a gift God gives to some and not others. It's not even something you have to come up with...you simply watch God do it and re-enact what you see.

My desire is to treat Holly in such a way that it gives her the ability to say that no man has ever treated her even close to the way I treat her.

My desire is to give Holly things that she has never been given by any man, even her own father.

My desire is to give Holly things that she would never even give herself.

My desire is to be there when she needs me, or even when she doesn't, to chase her, woo her, cover her, encourage her, flatter her, give up for her, help her, serve her, focus on her, catch her, push her, need her, cry with her, laugh with her, grow for her, try for her, and the list could go on.

My desire is for Holly to be so overwhelmed by my love for her and gifts for her that they reveal more about how God loves her than anything on the planet except God himself.

I'm not gonna lie...it's a competition thing in some ways. No one is ever going to be able to say that they treat Holly better than I do. NO ONE. No ex-boyfriend, no family member, no man who may try in the future. You are not going to beat me. You can't beat me when it comes to her. You might be able to woo her for a moment, but I will woo her for a lifetime. You don't know what I know, you haven't seen what I have seen, you haven't done what I have done...you cannot beat me at loving her...and she knows it. :)

I have hesitated ever writing about this because some may think this is arrogant. It's not. It's just something God has helped me get better at everyday if my life.

Besides, everyone should love their spouse like this, even better than this, because this is the way God loves you. No one will beat him. Ever.

God help me to love her the way you love me all the days of her life.

Quick Hits

-Still #1 in my fantasy basketball league...by a mile.

-I cook a mean teriyaki marinated filet mignon.

-Ton of response from Tuesday's message.

-Reminded this week what I look like without Jesus.

-It isn't pretty

-Looking at Tyler is like looking in the mirror

-excited to get the rest of my new suits

-Holly is hungry

-grateful for great friends

-cheaters, thieves, liars...baseball, anyone receiving gov't $$$, baseball

-Duke got crushed by my Heels

-having kids is the greatest gift ever

-having Holly is the best decision I have ever made and beyond my greatest expectations

-A-Rod

-Boot camp

-P90X

-love-handles are a curse from the devil himself

-I need to start running to get ready for the Tillman

-everything I have I do not deserve

Isaiah 58 = Ouch With A Twist of Wow

1 “Shout with the voice of a trumpet blast.
Shout aloud! Don’t be timid.
Tell my people Israel[a] of their sins!
2 Yet they act so pious!
They come to the Temple every day
and seem delighted to learn all about me.
They act like a righteous nation
that would never abandon the laws of its God.
They ask me to take action on their behalf,
pretending they want to be near me.
3 ‘We have fasted before you!’ they say.
‘Why aren’t you impressed?
We have been very hard on ourselves,
and you don’t even notice it!’

“I will tell you why!” I respond.
“It’s because you are fasting to please yourselves.
Even while you fast,
you keep oppressing your workers.
4 What good is fasting
when you keep on fighting and quarreling?
This kind of fasting
will never get you anywhere with me.
5 You humble yourselves
by going through the motions of penance,
bowing your heads
like reeds bending in the wind.
You dress in burlap
and cover yourselves with ashes.
Is this what you call fasting?
Do you really think this will please the Lord?

6 “No, this is the kind of fasting I want:
Free those who are wrongly imprisoned;
lighten the burden of those who work for you.
Let the oppressed go free,
and remove the chains that bind people.
7 Share your food with the hungry,
and give shelter to the homeless.
Give clothes to those who need them,
and do not hide from relatives who need your help.

8 “Then your salvation will come like the dawn,
and your wounds will quickly heal.
Your godliness will lead you forward,
and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind.
9 Then when you call, the Lord will answer.
‘Yes, I am here,’ he will quickly reply.

“Remove the heavy yoke of oppression.
Stop pointing your finger and spreading vicious rumors!
10 Feed the hungry,
and help those in trouble.
Then your light will shine out from the darkness,
and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon.
11 The Lord will guide you continually,
giving you water when you are dry
and restoring your strength.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like an ever-flowing spring.
12 Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities.
Then you will be known as a rebuilder of walls
and a restorer of homes.

13 “Keep the Sabbath day holy.
Don’t pursue your own interests on that day,
but enjoy the Sabbath
and speak of it with delight as the Lord’s holy day.
Honor the Sabbath in everything you do on that day,
and don’t follow your own desires or talk idly.
14 Then the Lord will be your delight.
I will give you great honor
and satisfy you with the inheritance I promised to your ancestor Jacob.
I, the Lord, have spoken!”

Congratulations, you just read your bible :)

Fast Forward

10 years ago I was 20. I was still in college, just started dating Holly, working at the Arizona Biltmore as a bellman, only attended church, and had no idea where I would be in 10 years at 30. Sure, I had a good idea I'd be in ministry, but really I had no idea how. I remember being so afraid of the future. I literally could not imagine how it would all work out if it would work out.

Yesterday morning at our retreat the Lord took me back that 10 years. He asked if I had any of what I have right now in mind then. Of course I didn't. He has brought me a very long way.

Then He fast forwarded 10 years. Bam. Snapshot. Glimpse. Peek. Nothing more, but more than enough. I'm not sure I can describe what I saw it was so quick. I saw enough to be reassured though. So yesterday I was feeling pretty good about the snapshot...until today.

"Lord, that's great that my life will look like that 10 years from now, where I hesitate though is not with where I will be 10 years from now...it's how I will get there." It hasn't been the easiest road the last 10 years. Sure, my life is great and I am very appreciative for all He has given me and done for me but it has not come without a price. It did not come free. I have wanted to quit. I wanted to turn. I wanted to scream. I wanted to run. I wanted to disobey. I wanted to stay. I wanted to wait. I wanted to hide. I wanted to cry.

Joseph got the heads up with where he would be and gave no thought whatsoever to what it would take to get there...I bet if he had it to do all over again he would think twice about celebrating publicly like he did. Keep it to yourself bud, it will always cost more than you think.

Thanks for the glimpse Lord, now just help me make it 10 more years to see it happen.

All Because of a Razor?

Gonna be really vulnerable with this one.

When Rylie left her scooter outside last week I told you that my first response was to teach her a lesson, it was. I don't know why but it's like I think the only way to deal with my kids when they mess up is justice. I don't like this. It is not pretty and it's starting to get old. Holly leans much more towards mercy and grace which is much more attractive (but when out of balance can also be dangerous). I knew Holly wanted to immediately buy her a new scooter to replace the stolen one. I don't understand it but the thought in my mind was "that will teach her (Rylie)". How horrific. How stupid and ignorant and heartless and merciless. What an idiot! That's not my heart...but why was that my response? I don't know. But if I have anything to say about it it is going to change.

It's been less than 7 days and I have not stopped processing the whole situation. My heart is so extravagent towards my children that at times it overtakes common sense and understanding.

Rylie wanted a scooter. I wanted Rylie to have a scooter. That's why I bought the scooter in the first place.

Well, this morning before work I stopped by Walmart and bought her another one and when I get home I will give it to her. That's my heart. I want to bless her. I do not want to penalize her. I want to help her. She has missed her scooter everyday since it was stolen, she knows she made a mistake. So do I root for her to not be blessed even though she learned her lesson and choose not to replace it for her? Don't know what you would do...nor does it matter...but as for me, if I have any say about the matter, I want to deal with my children with mercy and justice. I want them to want to be around me for the rest of their lives. I don't want to be so just that I suck the life out of my relationship with my kids. I need to be more merciful...and it starts with replacing a $28 Razor scooter. Done.

Lord, thank you for protecting me from my own ignorance. Thank you for having a merciful heart and a just hand when you deal with me. I want to parent more like you. I want to have your heart for my kids. I want to love them like you love me. I know I won't always get it right, help me to do the best I possibly can. Help me to lean towards the razor but not fear the rod. Give me balance. Give me mercy. Show me grace. Amen

Point At Me

Rylie left her Razor scooter outside on the side of our house last week and completely forgot about it for about 20 hours. When she remembered she left it out there she flipped out and ran outside to see if it was still there...it was not. Someone took it. It was incredible to see her sweet little innocent mind try and understand why anyone would take something that didn't belong to them. She was really broken up about it. Holly really felt for her. I thought it was an awesome opportunity for a teachable moment. But after talking to Rylie about it all and Holly trying to think through who would have taken it, I really got into it. "Daddy, what happens if I see someone riding my scooter? What should I do?"

I can just see it...my 6-year old daughter is playing outside with her brothers and she see's some 10 year old on our street riding her scooter. What does she do? Admittedly, just thinking about this scenario riles me up.

"What do I do, Daddy?"

This is an incredible question for anyone who has ever had anything stolen from them by their enemy...what do I do when I realize that my enemy has stolen what my Father has given me? He's older than me, bigger than me, more cunning than me, more vicious than me...what do I do? What if I really want it back? How do I get it back?

Have you ever lost anything? Has he ever stolen from you?

As I'm having this conversation with the Lord, he comes out of left field with "point at me........ you don't have to be afraid of him, you don't have to beg him, you don't even have to approach him and you won't ever need to rile me up to motivate me to get it back...just point at me. When he asks, "What on earth makes you think this is yours and if it were that I would ever give it back to you?", just point at me. I am your answer. I paid for it, I gave it and I still have the receipt for it...not to mention the fact that I detest that stupid thief."

For those that have lost what an enemy has taken...

Psalms 121

1 I will lift up my eyes to the hills—
From whence comes my help?
2 My help comes from the LORD,
Who made heaven and earth.

3 He will not allow your foot to be moved;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
4 Behold, He who keeps Israel
Shall neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The LORD is your keeper;
The LORD is your shade at your right hand.
6 The sun shall not strike you by day,
Nor the moon by night.

7 The LORD shall preserve you from all evil;
He shall preserve your soul.
8 The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in
From this time forth, and even forevermore.

There is not one 10 year old on the face of the planet who could keep me from taking back what is rightfully my daughter's. How much more can that be said of God, your father, about anyone that would take from you?

Welcome to Facebook

So I got set up with facebook last night and life has been a whirlwind ever since. I realize that it hasn't even been 12 hours since I hooked up with facebook but life has changed so dramatically in the last 12 hours that I have decided to share some of the things I love so much about facebook...

(These are in order of my appreciation)

#1- Giving ex-girlfriends a way to contact you in front of the entire world. This one is awesome...especially if you happen to be in ministry.

#2- Being able to nose my way through the lives of any person from my past that I have spent years trying to forget about.

#3- Having greater access to my aunts, uncles, parents and grandparents as they all happen to be on facebook.

#4- The pictures...need I say more?

#5- Actually, I will say more about #4...I appreciate the fact that every person under the sun has the desire to take risque pictures but honestly people, get over yourself.

#6- The status placed on your # of facebook friendships...also considered narcissism.

#7- Those who feel they have a boring life can live vicariously through those that love their lives via viewing every picture, every comment, every status update.

#8- It makes people who haven't been in touch for 40 years feel in relevant again.

#9- It gives companies the opportunity to leverage every relationship I have with a friend by using me to advertise products I would never endorse.

#10- Lastly, facebook gives me the opportunity to post messages on the wall of Pastor Robert is My Homeboy that he will NEVER read.

If you are wondering why I most likely will be deactivating my facebook account in 13 days look no further than #1 and #2. See you on facebook!

No Time Like the Present

Everyone has a past. Some have a boring, seemingly inconsequential past while others have a more wild, unrighteous past. I don't know how you feel about your past but for many it is a stumbling block.

Here's what the devil does with the past...he convinces you that what you used to be, you will always be. He convinces you that people know, that people will talk, that you are a hypocrite for even thinking about living a godly life. How stupid. And the really crazy thing about people who struggle to get over their past is that most of them are not doing what they used to do in the past...they've stopped. Those saying that they are still a slave to the sins of their past and use that as justification or just an explanation for continued sin are not struggling with their past...that is called a struggle in the present. Here's a brief history lesson...your past is what you used to do...your present is what you are doing. Revelatory, I know.

Here's who should walk without condemnation...those that have a PAST. Romans 8:1 says, "There is therefore no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, WHO DO NOT WALK ACCORDING TO THE FLESH, BUT ACCORDING TO THE SPIRIT."

If you are struggling with certain sins in the present, there is no time like the present to make the present your past. Simply put...STOP IT. Stop feeding the flesh and start killing it. Romans 6:12 says it this way, "Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey its lusts." The fastest way to convince the devil and yourself that you don't struggle with your past is to keep it in your past. Walk daily in freedom.

And for those that frown upon the mistakes of peoples' past, don't forget, we all need forgiveness. There is none righteous without Christ, not one. My most embarassing sins of the past remind me of what I am capable of when I choose not to walk with the Lord, when on my own.

It isn't just that everyone needs forgiveness...it's that I need forgiveness.

Let go of it. For good.

What Would You Do If You Didn't Do What You Do?

I love my job at the church, that is to say, I love being a pastor. There are some who hold it in entirely too high a regard. Not that I don't think it is a big deal, I do. In fact I see it as an honor that may not last forever. I may be in ministry for the rest of my life or God may call me to another profession tomorrow. I feel like I have had a pretty good handle on the blessing that it is to do what I get to do for a living. I won't argue, it is a blessing. But my perspective comes from knowing what others don't know. I didn't get this job...the Lord did.

I was twenty-one years old. I was an ignorant, cocky, insecure idiot. Yes, the church was the size of a life group when I got hired eight and a half years ago but still, I wasn't good enough to get this job even then. But the Lord knew that my being hired was not nearly as much about then as it was about now. How does an inexperienced student get a job like this? It can only be the Lord. It hasn't been easy. It hasn't always been fun. It has, though, been something God has used to mold me into the man I am today. Sure, I love the opportunities that I am afforded by being on Pastor Robert's staff but what I love more is who I have become. I could have ended up anywhere after college, ANYWHERE! But I ended up here. With a front row seat and a lot of undeserved favor I have had the opportunity to watch what God is doing through Gateway Church. I would not trade it.

Holly and I have a friend who lost his job and we were talking about him last night. She randomly asked me, "What would you do if you didn't work for the church?" I didn't even hesitate. I said, "I'd go work as an assistant pro at a nice golf course or a bellman (a job I previously held in college at the Arizona Biltmore and still view as the best job I have ever had besides this one) at a high-end resort. Yes I said a bellman. I know it would be a hit to my ego at first because all of the people around me would be whispering about how I went from ministry to "manual labor".

This job is a gift. I know it is. Especially after being a busboy, bellman, graveyard security guard in the worst part of Phoenix, weight room attendant, driving range ball-picker-upper, I understand what a gift this is.

If I had to stop doing what I do today I would be grateful for all I had gotten to do. Thank you Lord.

Point Taken

Read another article just now...http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,483645,00.html

Honestly, I am overwhelmed. Angry. Confused. This trash seems to be happening more and more. I was sitting here thinking "the world is going to hell in a hand basket"...

And then the Lord says, "That's why you're here."

Point taken.

Sick To My Stomach

I hate the news...an article like this reminds me why...

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,483625,00.html

I don't beat around the bush when it comes to admitting that I am more sensitive than the "average" man. Yet, I have a strong sense of justice. When I read a story like this it is difficult for me not to put my daughter Rylie in the position of this little girl. It's horrific, appalling, sickening. I don't usually lean towards revenge but when it comes to little kids being hurt or taken advantage of by their own parents...I have a problem with that. It's odd what brings out the ugly stuff in yourself. I will say this though, it reminds me of my absolute reliance upon God...never a bad thing.

Grateful I have parents who never ever would have even thought about hurting me. Hope my children will feel the same way for the rest of their lives.

Never Leave You or Forsake You

Lots of thoughts rolling around in my mind about Hebrews 13:5 "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."

Have we misinterpreted this verse? It seems like we have interpreted it to mean that we will never be without God. But haven't you ever felt "away from God" at some point in your life. How is that possible?

Here's my thought...just because God says he will never leave you or forsake you doesn't mean that you won't leave him or forsake him.

Holly can say to me that she will love me for the rest of her life but that does not mean I will automatically love her for the rest of mine (Just an example babe! Obviously, I love YOU more than life itself and will until my last breath).

For those braniac theologians that are already getting excited about putting me in my place, I am not presenting anything as theology, just wondering, "wrestling".

If God never leaves us or forsakes us, how is it that David can say to Solomon in 1 Chronicles 28 "And Solomon, my son, learn to know this God intimately. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the Lord sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek him, you will find him. But if you forsake him, he will reject you forever (v. 9-10)."

Is it possible that the times I have felt away from God, or that he isn't "at the table", or however you want to describe it, that He extended the invitation and I declined to attend? He didn't leave me but I left Him?

Thank you for committing to never leave me God. Help me to never leave you.