No More Crutches...

Could my life stand on it's own? That is the question that God has been using in this season to challenge, convict and prune me. What area or areas of my life, in this season could not stand on its own, but needs explanation? My buddy, Todd, and I started a discipleship group for men on Tuesday mornings, and the challenge has been to be men of the Word, men of prayer and men of integrity. Well, if I am growing in those areas my life should be able to stand on the goodness of God and reflect the transforming power of the Gospel. I want so desperately to be a man whose life reflects the character of God, and yet as you know that is a lot easier to say than to live out. But, why is that? I mean, God has promised us His grace, His Spirit, His Truth to lead us, and empower us over sin and yet there are still so many fumbles.

I don't claim to have the answer, but one thing I have come to realize in my own life is that there is a huge difference between managing your sin and image and living transparently before God and others. I think a lot of times as Christians we spend the majority of our time trying to explain away our actions than pursuing holiness and Christ-likeness. God hasn't called us to guard our image or manage our sin, He has called us to bear His manage and deal ruthlessly with our sin. That is totally different than the way we as Christians live sometimes. I know what you're thinking, this post is already five sentences too long, so let me go back to the beginning...yes the beginning.

Can your life in this season stand on its own? Could people look at your life all facets of it and walk away and say I know what that man/woman is all about? Or would they be confused that your life which is to resemble and reflect Christ looks no different than the unbelieving world. I don't ask the question in judgment, believe me, its the question I ask myself daily...whether I am at the gym, outside with my kids, out to dinner with my wife, or even sitting a lone at Starbucks could my life stand on its own. If the answer is no, or not in this area, it's time to stop talking to cover ourselves, and start talking to God for forgiveness, and change.

The Gospel is the power of God to bring salvation and transformation...maybe it's time we stop confusing people not so much with our doctrine, but with our lives. Just another rambling, but praying hard our lives will be able to stand without the crutches of excuses...God Bless.

WAITING...

This morning I was reading in Psalm 27 and God really encouraged and challenged me with these verses...
"I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord."

Love that faith...I am confident, that I will see the goodness of the Lord. I think so many times, the weakness of my faith and the immaturity of it is seen when I allow circumstances to define my reality. When I allow the pressures, disappointments or frustrations of this life choke out or block out the reality that God is good and that we as His children will see His faithfulness and goodness. But, what are the necessary prerequisites to experience His goodness and baste in it, well here's one WAITING! Now it sounds easy enough, but let's be honest how good are we at waiting. I have seen almost wars breakout in department store lines, drive thru's and even counter tops at Starbucks because people have had to wait. Maybe you have been one of those individuals, sadly enough I know I have been one. Waiting, sounds so nice, but spiritually it can be one of the toughest things to do. We want God to act, respond and move according to our time table. In our impatience we almost treat God like a genie in a bottle and guess what God will not NO part of it. Waiting..............................now I'm just messing with you. Here's the question, how good are you at waiting, no not just in line or at a restaurant, but more importantly, waiting on God. Are you confident in this season, that you will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living or are you to busy looking at your circumstances and too busy growing impatient? Well, I think God would say to each of us, WAIT! Watch my glory, rest in my strength, and don't you dare try to be me...WAIT. It's not a passive word, it's actually a word of strength.

"but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles;they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31

Just some rambling, but praying we will soar today as we WAIT on the Lord.

Greater Things...

Yesterday we completed week two of our 5 weeks series entitled "Greater Things". It was a privilege to teach down at our Naples Campus and see some of what God is doing there. The people are excited about God's mission and the campus is growing. There is a fresh excitement in this season of ministry. The vision continues to be refined for us as a Leadership Team and we continue to see the activity of God in and through the lives of His people.

Though the wrecking that God has been doing in my heart and life are far from being over I can't help to feel a sense of restlessness. Restlessness that is stemming from a deep conviction and belief that God is about to truly blow the doors off of this place. Greater things are truly yet to be seen for the glory of God. I am desperately asking God to train my heart to say yes. I am not letting go of the fact that I believe a more permanent residence for our Naples Campus and the launch of a third campus are non-negotiables. It is going to require sacrifice, faith and obedience. And as I am praying that God would prepare my heart, and I am praying for the hearts of those who call Summit their home as well.

Over the last 6 years this ministry has lived and operated on the edge of faith, but my spirit has been letting me know we really haven't seen anything yet. I am so pumped for the next part of this journey.

"Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground." Psalm 143:10

ING Miami Marathon 2010

Yesterday, I ran my second marathon with my buddy, Jonathan. This is the fourth race that I have had the privilege to run in conjunction with Organization for Autism Research in honor of my son, Max. Though I did not reach my desired goal, I was so pleased to just finish. Being sick all week and on the day of the race added to the hardship of doing a race of this magnitude. One of the great things about yesterday, besides crossing the finish line, was just reflecting on how much the Lord has done in my son's life over the past year. It is nothing short of amazing. Every day, my wife, Pam and I get to see the activity of God in and through our little boy's life. There are so many unknowns with autism, but one thing we know for sure God is faithful and He is good. There was so much frustration I felt yesterday with being sick, wanting to quit, and knowing that I was not going to meet my goal, that it was at times upsetting, but it was in that moment that I got a glimpse of the frustration that my son must feel at times, when he can not understand or do something. What I love about him though is he continues to plug away, so I figured as long as I could breathe I would press on.

I told my wife yesterday that there was a team of runners that had this slogan printed on their shirts...
"Run when you can,
Walk if you need to,
Crawl if you must,
But don't you dare quit!"

That was pretty much what I was feeling yesterday. I would not classify myself as a runner though I have run quite a few races now, nor would I say I am some great athlete. Running has become quite therapeutic for me and running these races in conjunction with OAR in honor of my son, has been a powerful reminder that my family and I are on a marathon of a journey and quitting is not an option. God will continue to give us the strength and the wisdom that we will need to meet the challenges that come our way, and as long as He is on the throne, we will always hold on to our hope. I am so grateful for my kids and my wife, who make this life God has given to me that much sweeter. And, I am also grateful for our friends and family who share this journey with us. To each of you, thank you for your love, encouragement, and support. WE did it...we pray that you will continue to run this journey with us.