Music Like Magic

What does a few hours walking around the North Point Mall get you? It gets you the lamest musical experience I've had in years...maybe ever. I had the "privilege" to play the Beamz as the slogan on their poster lured me to "play the light." The Beamz music system is a series of laser lights that when passed over, "play music." It has to be the stupidest thing I have ever seen! If any of you feel drawn to the light just stop by your local Sharper Image and experience the power.

Holograndy

If you look closely, you will see Andy Stanley on the stage of North Point to giving his third message in the sermon series "Faith, Hope and Luck." Look closer. He's right there. He looks real and sounds real but is he real? He's actually being projected on a giant screen in life-size StanleyVision at the Buckhead campus of North Point. It was a pretty amazing display of very expensive technology. It was kind of like the Presidential show at Disneyland but not as lame...it actually wasn't lame at all. It was interesting to see people laugh, pray and even interact with their projected pastor. It was quite the virtual experience.

Drive 08 starts tomorrow night and I look forward to my mind being stretched in the next few days. I think an event like this does two things for you. I think God helps to define you by challenging you with things you can add to you ministry or developing philosophy. I also think events like this help to define you because God shows you things that you should omit from your ministry or philosophy. The tempting thing is to go to a church like North Point and think everything they do is something you should do because they are so successful. This does not seem like wisdom. I pray for God's wisdom in the hours ahead. I also pray God stretches me in inspiring ways and even uncomfortable/challenging ways as well.

Canvas Went Down to Georgia...

I am taking my first trip to The South this next week. Aaron and I are heading out this weekend and we have a pretty fun trip planned. We are going to start in Atlanta and go to the Drive Conference at Northpoint Church. Andy Stanley is one of my indirect mentors at the time and I look forward to seeing first had what God is doing down there. We also have the privilege of driving up to Nashville and spending the day with Natalie Grant and her husband Bernie Herms. Bernie is going to give us a day and show us around his studio and allow us to sponge off of his experience in the recording industry. It's going to be an awesome time. Heather and I went to Natalie's concert a few weeks ago and had the privilege to met her back stage before the show. It was my first time meeting Natalie but Aaron has been close family friends for years. She said to me back stage, "We look forward to having y'all out to the house." Now I don't know how a Seattle girl starts using vocabulary like that but I think it's one simple word - Nashville. I reckon I'll post our adventures down south for y'all to see. (Just in case you're wondering...Heather won the tickets and the backstage passes to the Natalie Grant concert...she rocks!)

Running Machine

I am so proud of my wife! She ran in her first long distance race this past weekend - The Tom Wales 5k run on Capitol Hill. She has been training with her buddies from high school as they prepare for a triathlon this summer. She ran a personal record on a pretty difficult course. I was very impressed. As awards were being given out, her name was picked in a raffle and she won a book. She wins everything! I'm waiting for her to win a trip to Hawaii. Until then, we will enjoy all the concerts, dinners and books we can handle. I am so proud of her and the dedication she has shown the past few months. She's an inspiration to me in all she does. She models what it means to worship God with the whole of your life and with the excellence that is pursued along the journey. She definitely gives God glory in all the facets of her life. It think it's time for God to reward her with a trip to Hawaii!

Blue Like Leadership

I went to a leadership conference yesterday in Everett. Author Donald Miller was the main speaker and I went with my long-time friend John O'Malley. John is a big Miller fan and it was great sharing the experience with him. It was interesting to hear Miller speak about leadership because he doesn't consider himself to be a leader. He sarcastically defined him as the second fiddle guy who would rather sit in the pew and criticize the way ministry is going. His talk consisted mostly of stories and relationships he had with people he considered to be leaders. It was a simple but profoundly powerful message. Here are the few notes I took during his session.

-It's tempting to not lead out of relationship
-Lead out of relationship...even friendship
-Lead a small group of people but influence many
-The point isn't the vision, it's including people in the vision
-Include people in your vision...even include them in your rewards
-Leaders don't point out the nothingness of culture...they speak something into the nothingness

If you have read any of Donald's books, this is right in line with his approach to life. He always seems to look past the corporate and marketed church and cuts to the core of how things are...or at least the way things should be. There seems to be a camp that says you can't have deep relationship as a leader. Keep a buffer, a cushion. Don't get too close or you can't lead. Maybe even worse, don't get too close because you might get hurt. Sometimes it's worth getting taken advantage of or even getting hurt to experience the authentic life. My mom used to say like this when she would give money to homeless people. She said that it's worth the risk of your generosity being used for something it wasn't intended for. She would always remind me as boy, "It's worth risking being taken advantage of sometimes." I think the church could operate a lot more like this. It seems living life as it was meant to be lived has a price. It would seem that leadership has that same price. As a leader sometimes it's worth taking the risks that come with relationship. Dear God, may I have the courage to lead that way.

Proud

For those of you who read my blog, I must admit to you that I am a proud man. I don't mean proud like I am of my beautiful son or proud like when I accomplish something that honors God or blesses others. Not even proud like when I started shaving for real because I had to, not because I wanted to feel like the Brawny guy on my mom's paper towels. No, I am the kind of proud man that the Bible speaks against or warns of. I realized this past week that I am just flat out proud. Pride is a root. A cancer. An oil spill of the soul. A welcomed sniper. A hound of winter and I became pride's prey this week.

If you actually read my blog or have checked in recently, you will notice that I deleted a post. It was actually the last post I wrote. I don't know if anything in that post was all that inappropriate or if it was wrong of me to write it. I do know, however, that I needed to delete it. I initially felt that my thoughts and feelings were justified and that I had a right to post them. That still may be the case but as days went on, God began to convict me about it. When I say convict, I mean he began to illuminate what was in darkness. At first I thought it was just the echoes of rules or traditions I grew up in. I thought maybe it's just good old responsibility knocking at my door but as I listened and looked closer, I realized it was God bringing my pride out into the light. As the light shone brighter, I knew I could either push it back into the darkness or deal with it.

Even though I put an end to this one area of pride in my life, there are so many dark corners of my heart. Proud. It's not a title but the reality of my nature. However, my job is not to fix the old self, but to let it die and continue to become the new creation Christ has created me to be. I encourage you to search the darkness that keeps you from accomplishing God's best. You see, I think you can still accomplish good while being proud, but I don't think you will ever accomplish the greatness God has for your life if you don't kill the gunman on the grassy knoll. If you look close enough, the spotlight shines brightly. Don't push it back into the darkness. Deal with it.

Spirit Filled

I think I am a part of a generation that is getting tired of mere experiential faith. What I mean by that is there are some that don't see the value in having experiences that have little to no impact on how the world functions. I think the baptism in the Holy Spirit has become this for many of us. It seems limited to a moment in time, an experience, an event. I am afraid if the spirit-filled life is only a moment at an altar we may lose the baptism altogether as generations that follow us see the lack of purpose and power. I am convinced that if the baptism of the Spirit isn't affecting a life outside of an event or moment then there isn't much evidence that the life is actually spirit-filled. What good is initial physical evidence if there isn't any other evidence to follow? "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal." What a mighty percussion section we have become.

I am not suggesting that experience or moments in the presence of God are invalid or unnecessary. On the contrary, I myself have been forever changed by those moments. However, if we limit the working of the Spirit to a camp or tent meeting, then we have done a disservice to the Spirit's working. May we not forget the moments following the upper room. The world was changed because what followed the day of out-pouring. There was a mighty evidence that happened but that evidence was a means to an end. May we be consumed with the end not just the means!

Easter could never of happened without Christmas. Pentecost could never have happened without Easter. The Great Commission could never have happened without Pentecost. But the Great Commission couldn't have been carried out if men and women hadn't taken courage, lived empowered and missional lives. We are the ancestors of those men and women. May their flame continue in us. May we be inspired to pursue the Spirit and his in-filling so that we may lived empowered lives that change the world and make much of the name of Christ.

Remodel Posse

I haven't blogged in a while because I have been hard at work with a remodel of our 1933 farm house.  My dad, who is on the brink of turning 70, is still kicking my tail when it comes to swinging a hammer.  He's quite the ox!  He's the only guy I know who has a PhD and can nail in a beam with either his right or left hand. He's been a God send in many seasons of my life.  On my right (the guy with the sledge hammer shot gun) is my on-call buddy Andy. He's also an ox and a great friend.  Most people probably don't know how much of a servant he is and how much he loves helping people.  He came over and helped lift the central beam of the house on Saturday. You can also see he has become a fellow white man afro advocate and on many occasions people ask us if we are brothers...even twins!  It's great to know that I have people in my life that are there when help is needed.  I have a feeling that if I were ever cornered in a dark alley somewhere, they wouldn't hesitate to throw down for me either.  I can tell you one thing...even though my dad is 70 and a faithful man of God, I wouldn't want to get in his face while he's holding his roofing hatchet.  What happens when you get in Dick Blue's grill...bad things man...bad things!  Kidding aside, he really loves people and is one of the most generous people I know.  He's one of my heroes.  

The house has made great progress the past three weeks and we had the final inspection two weeks ago.  We are done with the city and just have minor projects to finish from here on out. It's been great to see how God has already used the new space to facilitate relationship and community.  It's amazing to see people being the church in your own home...that's what it's all about.

Anyone reading is invited to our house warming party when everything gets finished up. However, that might be another year or so...don't tell Heather.

Dear Woman, Here is Your Son (Part 2)

Good Friday Continued...

May we follow in our Savior’s example.

1) Jesus shows us the value of today.

With this statement, we see how he values the here and now. He isn’t so focused on tomorrow that he forgets today. May we not be so focused on eternity that we pass up the divine moments that face us each day. As one preacher said it, “we mustn't be too heavenly minded that we are no earthly good.”

May we follow in our Savior’s example.

2) Even in death, Christ honored his mother.

What an example Christ is to all children. He is our example in honoring those dear to us...even in life’s weakest moments. Our families are precious gifts from God, and we should care for them under all circumstances. Neither Christian work nor the key responsibilities of life excuse us from caring for our families.

Listen to how one Commentary puts it...

“There is something infinitely moving in the fact that Jesus in the agony of the Cross, when the salvation of the world hung in the balance, thought of the loneliness of his mother in the days ahead. He never forgot the duties that lay to his hand. He was Mary's eldest son, and even in the moment of his cosmic battle, he did not forget the simple things that lay near home. To the end of the day, even on the Cross, Jesus was thinking more of the sorrows of others than of his own.”

May we follow in our Savior’s example

3) Christ shows us the value of relationship

In our evangelical world, we typically place a heavy value on relationship. Especially the relationship that we call faith. I have grown up hearing and saying that, “THIS IS NOT RELIGION, it’s relationship!” I think we see the distinction very well in our tradition. But Christ again show us the value of today. He models being intentional about his relationship with others. Yes our relationship with God is priority, but as we build authentic relationship and love one another, we, in fact, strengthen our connection to the Father. Jesus didn’t separate the heavenly from the earthly in his last moments. He saw the divine IN ALL and valued relationship to the very end.

May we do the same as we follow in our Savior’s example.

Dear Woman, Here is Your Son (Part 1)

Today is Good Friday. It's the day when we remember Christ's sacrifice on the cross. Cedar Park had a service today in remembrance of Christ's death and I had the privilege of speaking with the rest of the pastoral staff. We spoke on the Seven Last Words of Christ...I had "Dear woman, here is your son." The following is what I spoke on:

The third saying of Christ is “Dear woman, here is your son.” We find this account in the book of John…in the 19th chapter. In verse 25 we read:

Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son," and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.

We know that the disciple John, or John the Beloved, is the disciple described here…the disciple whom Jesus loved. He also happens to be the writer of this book.

As I read the account in John, I picture Christ scanning the crowd as he hangs in agony on Calvary. He is only moments from his death and stands on the doorstep of absorbing the Father’s wrath and personally taking on our sin. As he takes in some of his final mental images, his eyes stop at a group of mourners and one figure arrests his attention...he takes in the sight of his mother. In her late forties or early fifties, she still posses much of the beauty of her youth. And yet she finds herself at the foot of the cross that belongs to her son. Parents aren’t supposed to outlive their children.

I imagine his heart is filled with compassion and love and yet perhaps even sorrow for his mother. Sorrow because he knows he will be leaving this wonderful woman soon. What an amazing woman she is. What a saint. It’s hard to think of a human figure that plays a greater role in the story of Christ other than Christ himself. It was a mere thirty four years earlier that she uttered the words, “I am the Lord’s servant…May it be to me as you have said,” in response to the angel that visited her when she was a teen. It was her faith and obedience that changed the entire course of history. As a close follower of her son’s ministry, she was witness to the many miracles and and divine teachings of her son. In fact, it was Mary that encouraged her son to start his ministry at the wedding in Cana. She was one of his most faithful followers. And now with with Jesus’ last breath knocking on the door and with Joseph already dead, she will soon be alone.

In that moment, Jesus shows compassion on his mother and entrusts her into the care of his follower and friend, John. The relationship of Jesus and John was stronger than any of the other disciples, so John could fulfill the duties of a son more faithfully than anyone else. As they are there together at his feet, he tells both of them them that “here is your family.” The King James uses to word “behold” to tell of the account. “Woman, behold thy son!” And to John, “behold thy mother. It’s as if he is saying, behold, take in, realize and embrace your family, your future and my provision for your lives in this moment.

What a beautiful picture.

Jesus, fills the void of his death by giving Mary a new son, securing a home for her future care and even consoles her grief by putting her in the hands of the most loved of all his disciples.

May we follow in our Savior’s example

Lincoln Brewster in Grants Pass?

Lincoln Brewster was in none other than Grants Pass, Oregon. So, I connected up with Mike Johns his drummer. For those of you who know Kip John, Mike is Kip's son. Mike and I met in Colorado Springs a little over a year ago and we have sort of kept in touch since then. He was able to get Heather and me free tickets to the concert. It was amazing as usual. It was the first time I saw Norm Stockton with Linc. Norm is a monster bass player! He's a great addition to Linc's team and an absolute genuine worshiper of God. It was great getting to talk to Mike after the show as he told me about being Lincoln's full time drummer now and is also a full time intern at Bayside Church where Lincoln is the worship leader. As you can see, I was also able to talk to Lincoln for a little bit and got him a copy of Everlasting King. He has an amazing memory, and recalled our time together at worship camp and all about the church, studio and the Canvas team. He's a pretty unique and genuine person. I greatly respect him as a fellow leader of the local church and greater worship community. I encourage anyone to support his ministry by getting as much of his music as possible. Not only because he is honestly one of the greatest musicians in the industry, but because he believes in the local church and desires to see the truth of Christ reach every heart and soul. He's most definitely an inspiration to this generation and to the generations to come.

Life on The Ranch

This week Heather, Ethan, Sadie and I packed up the car and went to Southern Oregon. We spent the week at "The Ranch" in Grants Pass. My parents live in a beautiful home that my dad built (of course) on the Rogue River in the wonderful Rogue Valley. It's absolutely beautiful. It's also one of the most relaxing vacations we take as a family. Mostly because my family just likes to hang most of the time and because there's nothing to do in Grants Pass. It was a great! Ethan was able to spend the week with his giant cousins as they rolled around the miles of carpet in their grandparent's home. Jackson and Tyler worked on getting "the buddy" crawling and he's pretty much nailed down the official army crawl. He loved his time with his Uncle Paul, Aunt Margaret, Grandma and Papa as well. I was so happy to spend time with that side of the family. We were unable to get together for the holidays, so this made up for the absence at Christmas. Looking back on the week, Grants Pass treated us pretty well. From tractor rides, to the local traveling circus and going to "Horton Hears a Who" on opening day, the week was packed pretty full of fun experiences. Ethan can't wait to join the big boys on scavenger hunts and tractor rides soon. With his blonde hair and blue eyes, he'll fit right in as the Blue Boy Posse goes bounding off on the many adventures of The Ranch!

I Want to Rock

Now this is what I call creating a greater culture of worship. When my son shows up to the CD release concert ready to worship with a shirt that says "I want to rock," I get pumped! I actually have to be careful when I see him when I lead worship because I almost lose it every time. He inspires me. It's great being a dad. It's also great knowing that his generation is going to accomplish more than we all can fathom. My buddy, Ethan, is going to "be the culture!"

Everlasting King

Last night was a great moment for Canvas as we released our new album Everlasting King amidst a crowd of worshippers. It was a great time of celebration and praise as we thanked God for what he has done here in Bothell. Pastor Joe said it was a picture of God-given dreams becoming reality, as four different worship teams took the stage in the evening. Our dream has been that God would raise up worship leadership to lead all generations into the presence of God. Last night we had not only four different bands leading worship, we had four different generations joined together to honor the God of creation. I'd say that sounds like a culture of worship to me. Being able to stand back and see students lead our church and to view a sea of children and great grandparents enter into the presence of God together, was a great feeling. God has been so faithful to accomplish his dreams through his people. Our prayer is that God would use this new album to impact the local church. There are seven different song writers and 9 original songs on the project. We hope that churches across the nation and even across the globe would be singing songs that were written right here in Bothell. That's what we mean when we tell worship leaders and musicians to "Be the Culture."

To God be all the glory and honor forever and ever...He truly is our Everlasting King!

Yet Another Road Trip

Canvas packed up the circus for another road trip today.  We arrived in Yakima for Youth Leaders Summit around 5pm.  Aaron and I were asked to teach at the event and we decided to bring the whole Canvas team along for the ride.  I always think life is better with as many people along for the ride as possible.  It may be more pungent at times but in the end the memories out weigh the stench.  

Yakima isn't the exactly a destination location but somehow we seem to end up here quite often.  The "Welcome to Yakima" sign says it's the Palm Springs of Washington.  I guess that's true since they're both in the middle of nowhere.  Other than that, I don't see people booking trips to the Yak Valley in the dead of winter to escape the Seattle depression.  Oh Yakima, someday I'll write a song about you.  It will probably be as much of a hit as your eating establishments.  i guess that's a bit unfair.  I will give you one thing...Miner Burgers.  I hope to partake of your one saving grace for lunch tomorrow.

What Do I Have to Complain About (Part 2)

I went on a "prayer drive" today.  I got in my mid-nineties, teal Silverado and started to drive around town.  I spent an hour and a half just listening to God and dreaming about the future.  I stopped to take an occasional picture of random activities going on around me and then it jumped out at me.  A challenge that made me ask the same haunting question as last night.  The billboard says, "Rainy days a year: 150 - Not everyone in the world is so lucky."

UNICEF estimates that some 16 million people face immediate risk due to the current drought in Eastern Africa. In the country of Ethiopia alone, about 8 million people are in danger. Of those, about 1.4 million are children under age five.

When it rains in Seattle, I don't ever look to heaven and thank the God of creation.  On most rainy days, I cover my head and complain. There are children all over the world that are dying because of a lack of clean drinking water and I drag my feet at the first sign of a little drizzle. What on earth do I have to complain about? Absolutely nothing. 

Dear God, please don't stop talking to me.  Sometimes it stings and my ego takes a necessary beating. However, I would rather hear your voice than continue to be the wretch you captured years ago.  It comforts me to know that you even choose to speak to people in teal automobiles on random "prayer drives."

What Do I Have to Complain About

I have been giving some thought to something I witnessed on Sunday night. I was given a glimpse into the the country of Iran. We had a combined worship service with our Iranian Branch Church, Nejat, and had a catered Iranian dinner. It was a pretty eye-opening night. Having both cultures together was a great picture of how beautiful and powerful the Cedar Park Cathedral Model can be.

An hour into the night, emotions washed over me when a video was played telling of the faith of the underground church in Iran.  It told of people who risk their lives to gather together in unity to worship their newly found Messiah.  Most of them risk imprisonment and even physical harm since the act converting from Islam is illegal in Iran.  Many Iranian Christians have even given the ultimate sacrifice of dying for the sake of the gospel.  Later in the evening, I even found out that some of the leadership of Nejat have to keep their identity secret because their family could face persecution if their conversion was brought into the light.

Some days I complain because I have to work too many hours at the church.  Other days I consider quitting because other people don't like my music.  Thoughts of self-pity fill my mind when there are days I don't feel like I'm used to my full potential.  Then I talk to Christians with family members that actually put their lives on the line for the gospel.  In those moments all of my problems seem very petty.  What do I have to complain about?  I live in a country where I am free to worship any way I please and I can tell anyone about my faith without any serious consequences.  Yet, I sit in my office whining to God about my imperfect ministry life and neglect to tell my neighbor of the God that have a personal relationship with.  Something doesn't add up here.  Most days I need a very healthy reality check because I have nothing to complain about.

A Small Glimpse

I'm not the most spontaneous person on the planet. And sometimes when I get long distance calls, I don't want to answer them because it might cut into my day. On Thursday afternoon I received one of those calls. It was a call from a student of ours from our youth group in Los Angeles. Turns out he was standing at the main entrance of Cedar Park.

Kody Stewart just showed up unannounced with another one of our students, Huey Hulbert. For those of you who don't know Kody, this is definitely his M.O. in life. I think he's the fulfillment of the phrase, "flying by the seat of your pants." Kody is a professional mountain boarder and was making a gear run for a mountain board company based in Denver, where he currently lives. On his way "out of town" he shows up (unannounced of course) at Huey's house in Colorado Springs. "The Springs" is over an hour away in the opposite direction of Seattle...I love this kid! There is something inspiring about a free spirit like Kody that can just run until the tank of life is empty and somehow just keeps cruising on fumes for a miraculous amount of time.

Heather and I had the boys, now young men, over for dinner and they spent the entire meal telling us of near death experiences, life in Colorado, the updates of So Cal and all the memories we had at our little church in California. We talked about the time I broke Kody's wrist, the time he almost broke my tail bone on a mountain board, the time Huey won Fear Factor at snow camp, and about all the friends and stories we have from that little church. It was an evening full of laughter and reflection.

As the guys got into their truck with their sights set on another stop in Portland, I had a blessed feeling in my spirit. I felt a bit like a father...a spiritual dad of sorts. I hugged them and told them to go to church. I then told them if they didn't I would stick my foot somewhere unpleasant (just speaking the language of the people). It was one of those times where God shows you a small glimpse of heaven. I think sometimes He likes to show you the "payoff." He gives you a snapshot of what He has actually done in people's lives through your efforts, and it's like you can almost hear him say, "well done."

I know I'm not the most spontaneous person on the planet, but I really look forward to the next phone call from Kody.

UNASHAMED

I had lunch with one of my heroes today. I have to say it was exactly what I was praying for and what I needed. We had a great discussion about life, ministry and calling. He knew exactly where I was coming from. I walked away encouraged and inspired. It's so apparent that we share much of the same heart for ministry and have gone down much of the same path as well. He spoke life into my current situation and encouragement into the calling that I am wrestling with. When we returned to his church, I briefly stepped into the church prayer room while he met with a staff member. The room was covered from floor to ceiling in black butcher paper and there were writings of off-white chalk and crisp silver markers all over the walls and ceiling. As I looked closer, I saw prayers and words of empowerment and passion. As I was taking in the panorama of intercession, one grabbed my attention and spoke directly to my current reality. It said:

"Unreachable dreams are God given dreams. Never underestimate the person God has called you to be. You can bring freedom to the lost! UNASHAMED."

I don't know who wrote that or what inspired the hand that wrote it, but I honestly believe that is was written for me. I think God had a person 100 miles away write a simple message knowing that I would walk into that prayer room days or weeks later and need to be challenged by that word. It was a humbling moment as I soaked in the idea. I feel like there's a new sense of hope for the future journey God has me on. Praise to the omniscient and omnipresent God who knows all and is with all at all times!

Bumper Sticker

I went on a bit of a road trip today. I saw a great bumper sticker as I came up behind this mini van. You can't read it but it says, "Change is inevitable - Growth is optional." I like that. It was a great reminder that life will always bring turns to the journey and what really matters is how I respond to it. The next generation depends on us being able to grow amidst change. I hope I'm an old person that says to the kids that come behind us, "be yourself, dream big, and turn it up baby!"

Popularity vs. Accountability

I was given the book The Five Temptations of a CEO. As I began to read I realized that I had already read the book. However, it was a fresh reminder of some important leadership principles. I actually skipped the leadership fable about a third in and went straight to the model in the back. The 5 main temptations leaders face are:

1) Choosing status over results
2) Choosing popularity over accountability
3) Choosing certainty over clarity
4) Choosing harmony over productive conflict
5) Choosing invulnerability over trust

Personally, I feel like I struggle with temptation number two the most. It seems like many pastors would deal with this weakness. There is so much relationship emphasized in ministry and the quality of "being nice" is kind of a prerequisite for the job. It is also known that pastors on a staff can easily become very closed friends. It seems like strong advice to strive for respect rather than affection...however, that is still a very difficult idea in the ministry leadership world. I feel in order for this temptation to be overcome, there would have to be strong dialogue between a team regarding the issue. It seems like you would have to state and re-state that accountability doesn't mean loss of relationship. I would think relationship grows stronger long-term with authentic accountability. It may feel like there are short-term negative effects, but over time I think respect is built upon personal consistency and personal accountability.

I think I'll work on it. It probably starts with a conversation. May the dialogue begin.

Book Reference: The Five Temptations of a CEO - Patrick Lencioni

A Good Wife Rocks

I just have to say that my wife is amazing. I met her when I was 17 years old, she became my high school sweetheart, my fiance and my wife. Most recently she has become the mother of my son and is such a delight to behold. I honestly have to make "hanging out with the guys" a discipline because I don't really want to hang out with anyone else most of the time...she rocks.

I was thinking about her yesterday and specifically prayed for her during my time of prayer. When I pray in my office I light an oil lamp that she gave me. It's made out of Mt. St. Helens ash from the eruption in 1980. Mt. St. Helens is where we met and I can still remember what she wore on that day. It wasn't love at first sight for either of us, but it was a life changing day. That oil lamp on my desk represents that beautiful encounter.

After my prayer time yesterday , I sat down and wrote her an email.

Hi my love...

I just got done praying during lunch and I thought and prayed about you a lot in my time w/ God. I want to let you know how proud I am of you.

I was thinking about the gals you walk around the mall with…they are so blessed to have you in their lives. They don’t even know what kind of an impact you are going to make on them. I have seen a new sense of passion and mission in your life. It inspires me.

You are such an incredible mother. Everyone loves little Ethan and his personality…he gets so much of that from you. He is so blessed to have such a loving mommy. I know he already senses how much you believe in him.

What an amazing wife you are to me. You have sacrificed so much for me to be able to chase after what I feel God is calling us to. You have left family, friends, and careers to let me pursue my dreams. I feel speechless when I think about how blessed I am to be your husband.

I don’t know all the details of the journey ahead, but I have a peace about it. One of the ways God reassures me is knowing you will be by my side every step of the way. I love you so much and love the life we have lived together. I look forward to the road ahead.

I love you and I’m proud of you.

An old biblical proverb says that "he who finds a wife finds a good thing." I think that is a pretty large understatement. Much of who I am today is because of Heather. I also know that much of who I am is because of my mother...the wife of my father. Women shape history and the role of being a wife is overlooked so much.

Simply put...A good wife rocks!

Bible Reference: Old Testament - Proverbs 18:22

Make Plans

Lent, in most Christian denominations, is the forty-day liturgical season of fasting and prayer before Easter. The forty days represent the time Jesus spent in the desert, where, according to the Bible, He endured temptation by Satan.

For lent, I am fasting lunch. Fun. Not really. Joking aside, my lunch times have actually been a great time of intimate prayer and waiting on God.

In this Lenten season I have been focusing on three themes.
1) Find the source of my life in Christ
2) Be faithful in the little things of life
3) Make plans

One of my friend's favorite stories in the Bible is the story of a dreamer named Joseph. It's the tale of a group of brothers who go to kill their brother (Joseph) because of jealousy, but then decide to make a little cash and sell him into slavery. Can you say "dys-func-tion?" The remainder of the saga takes us through the journey of Joseph and how he works his way out of slavery into a place of prominence. He primarily does this because of the ability to interpret dreams.

One of the minor points of the story is Joseph's ability to make plans before he is put in his place of prominence. My friend asked me, "If someone was willing to give you a million dollars if you could just tell them what you were going to do with it, what would you tell them?" His point is a challenging one. Do I look to the future or am I only concerned with the here and now? I do believe we should live every moment with purpose, but many times that purpose needs to be focused on what's next.

I'll tell you what motivates me the most to make plans. My son. When I look in his eyes and see all the God-given potential within him, I know it is our generation's job to make plans. I don't want to look him in the eyes and tell him my generation didn't cut it. I want to give him and his generation a fighting chance at accomplishing what it is God has them to do.

Make Plans.













Bible Reference: Old Testament - Genesis 37 & 41

Ironman?

This morning I went running at the local high school track.  I ran a timed mile.  It was ugly.  I figured it's been 12 years since I timed a mile.  I have added roughly 3 minutes to my time...a minute every four years.  I can't believe I used to be a track athlete.  The invention of the desk was not the will of God.  It's no good getting out of shape. Hey Josh, I guess I'll actually commit and say that I'll train and run a triathlon with you.  The only thing I ask is that if I start drowning, you won't use it as an opportunity to put some distance between us.  Don't expect to see me in Kona any time soon.

Play Instead of Roast

Last night I couldn't fall asleep.  So, after the monotony of watching shadows from passing headlights started to gnaw at my brain, I decided to get out of bed and go downstairs.  These days the one thing that keeps me awake at night is the future of the local church.  So in the glow of my almost-crackling electric fireplace, I began to write...

I was on the Washington Peninsula today...I love it there.  There's just something about it.  You feel closer to God when you're there.  The sky is a deep, welcoming shade of blue.  Mt Rainier looks like it's about to take over the world as the Olympic Mountains stand in opposition to its conquest.  There are days when I miss it there.  Today was one of those days.

I have a friend that lives out there.  He's a good friend.  We worked at the same place for about two days once.  It was a good two days.  

We grabbed lunch today and he encouraged me like only he can.  He has been a kind of life coach and mentor to me and most of the mentoring has been while we have lived in different cultures and communities.  His investment in me actually began while we lived in different states.  It all started when my church slapped a restraining order on a student for pulling a knife on a board member.  I'll save that story for another day.

I told Heather that he's an unique person.  He is so inspiring to be around and yet sometimes after being with him you feel like you'll never amount to anything.  It's like coming home from Jazz Alley and grabbing your instrument so you can take the first step at becoming the cosmos' next virtuoso.  Then, as you look at your guitar you think it would be better served as kindling for roasting marshmallows.  He's kind of like that.

After today...I think I'll play instead of roast.  Thanks for walking the journey with me Wes.

Just Like Everyone Else

So there's this story with a guy named Samuel and a guy named God. Samuel is a judge and God well...he's God (with a big G). In this story, God has people. I guess it's more accurate to say he has a people. He considers the families of Israel to be his special people. These people are pretty ticked with Samuel and his family. You see, Samuel was getting kind of old and had his sons to take over the family business. The only problem is that his sons were corrupt. When your "judicial system" is corrupt, I guess it doesn't matter whose people you are, you get ticked.

So, the leaders of Israel met with Samuel to discuss the matter (I picture it's like the clans of Scotland coming together to argue in the movie Braveheart). They tell Samuel that he's old and that his sons aren't following in his footsteps. Then they simply request that they want a king. My favorite part is that their entire rationale is based upon one premise. These people want a king simply because they want to be like all the other nations of the world - they want to be just like everyone else. God reassures Samuel that they are not rejecting their judge but they are, in fact, rejecting the king they already have - the God that calls them his people.

My first thought is how absurd these people are. But then I think how often I react the same way they did...I'm really no different. All I want sometimes is to be like everyone else - or at least I want to be the way I perceive everyone else to be.  I want to substitute the divine for a 24 hour quick fix, designer jean wearing, card carrying "king" that will finally get me what I want. I mean isn't it really about what I want...isn't it about me? Most of the time it is.

I recently had a thought that I have never been mentored the way I hear of others being mentored. I feel like I haven't been invested in like I read in books and spiritual fairy tales and such. I ask, "Why can't I learn what to do rather than learn what not to do?" Then God speaks. He simply says, "Why can't I mentor you? Why must you be just like everyone else? Why can't I be your guide on this journey?" Then I shut up.

I'm not different than any of the people in this story. I probably would have been the first to walk up to the old man and tell him he's outdated and that his boys are punks. I would have raised my fist into the crisp air and clamored for a king. "A king, just like everyone else!" I'm pathetic. I feel like I'm in junior high. Like when I needed a pair of Reebok Pumps or the blue and gray Air Jordan’s because those were my school colors (Can you hear "Too Legit" playing in the background?). Yeah, it kind of feels like that. Nausea.

Well, welcome to my journey. Maybe some of us will enjoy walking the journey together.

Bible Reference: The Old Testament - 1 Samuel 8