Guatemala Visit

I have been in Guatemala this week and I am looking forward to flying home later today. It is always tough to be away from my wife and kids and I am so grateful for a supportive wife who has always encouraged me in my pursuit of fulfilling God's call on my life. This aim of this trip was to see the ministry Living Water up close and to see some of the things that they are doing in the different regions of Guatemala. I hope to bring a group back in December and hopefully our college students during their Spring Break. I have really enjoyed my time here. I have been pretty impressed with what the ministry has accomplished here in this region and I have loved getting to know some of the missionaries on the ground here.

We have had the privilege to meet the vice mayor and the governor who are both strong believers. I was so impressed with their humility, fear of the Lord and their deep concern for the people of their country. Yesterday the vice-mayor took us to one of the poorest areas in which they are working hard to bring hope and relief to. I have been to several different places around the world and I have seen poverty up close, but it doesn't matter how many times you see it, it will still break your heart. It is always such a convicting thing. You are quickly brought face to face with how blessed we truly are and how clueless we are to the reality of how most of the world lives. In spite of the deep poverty we saw we found the people to be quite resilient and extremely friendly.

Observations on Servant Leadership

Observations of Servant Leadership from the Life of Jesus
John 13:1-17

In these verses, Jesus reveals His heart and His mission. He proves to these men that He did not come to be served, but to serve, Mark 10:45. In showing Himself to be a servant of men, Jesus left us a vivid portrait of the kind of heart we are to have for others. In these verses, among other things, we will find out that God's will for our lives is that we learn to give ourselves in service to others.

#1. Servant Leaders are fully devoted to God & His mission. (v. 1)

Having given to them decisive and constant proofs of his love. This was done by his calling them to follow him; by patiently teaching them; by bearing with their errors and weaknesses; and by making them the heralds of his truth and the heirs of eternal life. He loved them unto the end. That is, he continued the proofs of his love until he was taken away from them by death.

#2. Servant leaders are confident in their God-given call & identity. (vv. 2-3)

We should note that the source of Jesus’ actions lay in His knowledge and security of who He was and where He was going (vs. 1-3). Jesus was completely aware of His sovereign authority, His origin, and coming destiny as He submitted and depended by faith in what the Father was doing (vv.1, 18).

Thus, in that confidence, He voluntarily took the place of a slave and washed the feet of His disciples. Jesus knew who he was—because he was SECURE in own IDENITY that he could bow to the lowest point of service.

#3. Servant Leaders are willing to be vulnerable. (v.4)

Why would vulnerability be important?

Where else in the Scriptures did Jesus show His vulnerability?


#4. Servant Leaders are engagers. (v.4-5)

Servant Leaders do not fall into the trap of “it’s not my job” deal…

In that culture the most demeaning task around was to wash the guest’s feet. This was job done by lowest slaves. It was necessary because people wore sandals did most of their travel by foot. They walked along trails that we not only dusty but also cluttered with camel and donkey dung.

#5. Servant Leaders seek to serve everyone God has placed in their path.

Jesus does not distance himself from Judas. Jesus does not point his finger at Judas and say to him, “How dare you—after all I’ve done for you?” Instead he loves him to the end. He does everything possible to bring Judas to repentance. He washes his feet with the same tenderness and affection that he gives the other disciples. Maybe that will soften Judas’ heart.

#6. Servant Leaders understand the power of leading by example.

If everyone in your organization or under your leadership acted like you and did what you did, what would your organization look like?

Paul said “follow me as I follow Christ”---does your example not your words proclaim that…

#7. Servant Leader inspire others to live on mission.

Week in Review...

I thought I would give a quick week in review, snapshots of some of the cool things that happened this week. These are in no specific order...hope you enjoy!

#1. My little queen bee, Emily, beginning the early stages of potty training. She hasn't actually made it to the toilet yet, but it is the cutest thing to watch her pulling at her diaper and yelling pottie...I am so thankful for my wife, she is an incredible mom! As a supportive husband I am just stepping aside and allowing my wife to take the lead on this one...what can say, I'm just that nice of a guy...

#2. The calls and emails of support that we received from the amazing people who make up Summit Church this week after a hard announcement that we had to share with them last weekend. It was yet another powerful reason why I feel so blessed to be a small part of this incredible ministry and wonderful body of people.

#3. Staying up late every night this week with my wife and watching the Olympics. It was a lot fun, but in some ways we are glad that it is over because we are quite tired.

#4. Today it was absolutely awesome to see all of our college students back and ready to take their campus for Christ. I am so excited to see what God does in and through the lives of our college students this year. I believe that this year will be one of the most effective years for our college ministry. I would ask you to join us in prayer for that.

#5. Tonight our high school ministry Crave had a scavenger hunt and I guess one of the high point items on their list was tee-peeing our home. Now I know what you're thinking how did this make the list? It's simple, it was yet another reason why I am thankful God called me out of youth ministry and the other reason is I can't wait to see the look on Bill's face tomorrow when I tell him he's fired...just kidding. Actually Bill is doing a great job leading our middle and high school ministry.

#6. My wife and I joined our good friends John and Kelly for dinner on Thursday night and we went to the new restaurant in Coconut Point Mall, Stir Fry. I am telling you it was awesome! It just might be better than PF Chang's and I love PF Chang's. The food is definitely not Hallelujah Diet friendly but it was worth the cheat. If you get a chance, give it a try. It just may make your tongue slap your brain, it's that good!

#7. Wednesday night was our last group meeting with our group. They will actually continue to meet, but Pam and I will be starting a new group in a few weeks. It was awesome to listen to the God stories and the things that God has taught us through our time together. Pam and I truly feel blessed to have had the opportunity to share life with such great couples. We will definitely cherish the memories and the friendships that we have formed!

Are You Serious...

A few months ago I blogged about Hillsong's new album and one of the amazing songs from that album entitled "Healer". It seems now that the writer and artist of that song who claimed to be dying of terminal cancer which inspired him to write the song is nothing but a fraud. The article below gives the specifics of this disappointing sham. If you would like to hear the song, which truly is a powerful song with a great message of hope, click on the link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaB53_AS7Ug&feature=related

By Kim Wheatley August 21, 2008
* Pastor told congregation he had cancer
* Recorded hit song Healer to inspire people
* He's a fraud - but he's getting help

Not quite terminal ... Michael Guglielmucci, who preached about his battle against deadly cancer, is getting professional help after being exposed as a fraud. HE preached to thousands about his terminal illness and tugged at hearts with a hit song. The problem is the pastor wasn't dying at all. Michael Guglielmucci, who inspired hundreds of thousands of young Christians with his terminal cancer "battle", has been exposed as a fraud.

Guglielmucci, whose parents established Edge Church International, an Assemblies of God church at O'Halloran Hill in Adelaide's southern suburbs, now is seeking professional help.
Earlier this year, Mr Guglielmucci released a hit song, Healer , which was featured on Sydney church Hillsong's latest album. The song debuted at No. 2 on the ARIA charts. It since has become an anthem of faith for believers, many of whom are suffering their own illness and were praying for a miracle for Mr Guglielmucci, who has claimed for two years to be terminally ill.
In one church performance that has attracted 300,000 hits on YouTube, he performs his hit song with an oxygen tube in his nose. It appears Mr Guglielmucci, who was a pastor with one of Australia's biggest youth churches, Planetshakers, may even have deceived his own family.

"This news has come as a great shock to everyone including, it seems, his own wife and family," Hillsong general manager George Aghajanian said in an email to his congregation yesterday.
"Michael has confirmed that he is not suffering with a terminal illness and is seeking professional help in Adelaide with the support of his family. We are asking our church to pray for the Guglielmucci family during this difficult time."

The Advertiser was told last night Mr Guglielmucci may release a statement on the situation.
The Australian Christian Church said Mr Guglielmucci's credentials immediately were suspended once he told the national executive that his cancer claims were "untrue".
"The national executive is taking this matter very seriously and is awaiting the results of medical tests before determining the full extent of the discipline that will be imposed upon him," vice president Alun Davies said.

"We are very concerned for the many people who have been or will be hurt by Michael's actions.
"We encourage all of our churches to pray for all those affected."

"IF" we confess...

I read a very familiar passage today, one that most Christians have memorized. Today however God gave me one of the jolts. The passage is 1 John 1:8-10. Most of us have memorized 1 John 1:9. It is one of those great promises that as children of God (we who have entered into this loving relationship through God's Son Jesus Christ) we hold on to: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."

What an awesome God we serve. What an extension of grace He continuously offers to us and what a great exchange He extends. God says confess your sins, and I will forgive and I will purify because I am faithful. God's love and grace is all wrapped up in who He is. But why is it then that so many times for so many of us, we would rather do the work of trying to conceal our sin, justify our sin or better yet act as if we have no sin. I know that at different times in my own life I have fallen victim to these things. David said in Psalm 32 that "When I kept silent, my bones wasted away ...my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer." It may seem natural in the flesh to conceal our sin, minimize it or justify it, but there are always huge ramifications when we do that. In 1 John 1 verse 8 it states that "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us."

"Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed are those whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit."

What good is quoting 1 John 1:9 if we don't live it out daily? At the point of confession and agreement with God is the place of power. What sin or sins are you working hard to keep concealed? What sin is it that you are still minimizing or justifying? What sin is it that you have not confessed and repented of yet? The first word in 1 John 1:9 is "IF"...If we confess. I pray for myself that I would daily answer and respond to the if and walk in the promise that God has made to me. Whatever sin is still out there lingering or limbo for you, my prayer is that you would experience the faithfulness of God today and you in turn could say as David did "Then I acknowledged my sin and did not cover up my iniquity. I said I will confess my transgressions to the Lord. And you forgave the guilt of my sin." Just another rambling. God Bless!

First Duathlon

Today was an achievement of sorts for me as I competed in and completed my first duathlon. I didn't shatter any Olympic records or course records for that matter but I did beat the goal I had set for myself. It was a great time and a total adrenaline rush especially the last 5oo meters or so as everyone was sprinting towards the finish line and once again Jay was encouraging me on to finish strong. I have never liked running or biking but since last Christmas I have become hooked. The discipline of getting up at a god-forsaken hour in the mornings to get my runs or biking in has also helped me to stay disciplined in my time with the Lord which is far more important than any run or bike that I may take.
The Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Timothy chapter 4... train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance.
I pray that God would never let me lose sight of this truth. I pray that God would empower me daily to train myself to be godly and to seek His face with great passion and zeal. Running well in a race is one thing, but running the race of faith with integrity and with God's glory as your aim is far better.
I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 1 Corinthians 9:23-25

Relaxing' with the fam

After an exhausting week it was really nice to just chill with my wife and kids. Today we met our daughter, Emily's, birth mom for lunch. She is serving in the Army and is currently home from Afghanistan. It was good to see her and to see that she is really moving forward with her life. We feel so blessed to have Emily in our lives. She is such a precious little girl with a zeal for life. I am so eager to see what God is going to do in and through her life. Our prayer for both Max and Emily continues to be that they will grow up to embrace their adoption story as God's story. We pray that they would one day see that their birth parents made a very selfless decision and that God had answered our prayers by placing them with us. Of course there could be no greater prayer for their lives than for each of them to grow up and love and serve Christ with all their heart, mind and soul.

We closed the evening by taking them to Moe's. I think our kids put more food on the floor than in their mouths; it was quite funny. A few months ago I wrote a post about snap shot moments. Tonight was one of those moments. A snap shot moment is a moment when you just need to step back and recognize how blessed of God you are and how good He has been to you. Tonight in a messy booth I was enjoying yet another snap shot moment.

Now it's off to bed. Our Naples Campus Pastor, Jay "the iron man" Richardson and I will be up at 3:30am and on our way to Fort DeSoto...tomorrow I compete in my first ever duathlon. Should be fun, but truth be told I'm a little nervous. Enjoy those snap shot moments and if you remember pray for me tomorrow...I'll need it. God Bless You!