When is a Bad Time To Make Choices?

Fasting is a unique time in anyone’s spiritual walk, and if you’ve never done it then you should.  Fasting decreases our flesh and increase the God quotient in our lives.  It really takes our internal ‘stuff’ and mixes it all up and helps us to reprioritize those things that are urgent and those things that are important.  One thing I have discovered about fasting may seem contrary to what you might think, but then again I’ve never been accused of being normal.

I have learned and believe that when you are fasting it is the worst time to actually make decisions.  I know many people fast specifically to find wisdom for making decisions, so saying ‘don’t make choices or decisions’ seems silly, so let me explain.  When we are fasting our flesh is rising up wanting and demanding to be served while our spirit is quietly whispering to continue.  In the internal environment of our souls, there is this amped up battle going on, and in that atmosphere of conflict, restructuring, and reprioritizing, making a big decision is not wise.  I know, you probably don’t believe a little ole’ preacher like me, so let’s look at what Jesus did, after all he is the Son of God.

We have one biblical example of when Jesus fasted, and he did it for 40 days in a dessert.  Nice!  During that time Jesus was getting his flesh under control, not choosing his disciples.  One might argue that he was fasting to begin the process of choosing his disciples, but I would humbly argue that he was getting his fleshly body in line and in full submission to God the Father so that he would be in a position to make wise, Godly decisions.  So what did Jesus do during his fast?

Real simple:  He stood strong against temptation and glorified God.

That’s it.  Fasting is a fabulous time to reposition your soul elements, but a lousy time to choose who to marry.  Fast.  Pray.  Complete your allotted time of fasting.  Then with a new prioritized outlook on your life and your spiritual walk, you will be in an amazing position to make Godly decisions that will impact you for several years.  We have no record of Jesus making any decisions during his fast, but after his fast it says that he came forth in the power of the Holy Spirit.  The power, wisdom, and guidance of the Holy Spirit comes after the fast, and rarely in the middle.

So if you’re fasting, then stand up to temptation.  Say no to the coffee.  Refuse the steak.  Push back from the Krispy Kreme, and then lift up our hands and glorify God.  When it’s all done and said you’ll find that your mind and your spirit are efficiently working in tandem, helping you and your soul move forward, making the wisest choices possible.  It’ll blow your mind.

Poo-Poo, Buddha, and Leadership Truths

In my opinion, leaders are at their best when they are knee deep in crap.  Everybody seems to think they want to be a leader, but nobody wants to stand in poo-poo, and poo-poo brings out the true stuff that’s in a person.

Several year ago a large, thirteen foot tall Buddha was discovered in a makeshift covering.  The people cleared the area and then built a temple to house the recent discovery of an ancient artifact.  The beautifully painted, plaster Buddha became a big hit.  One thing led to another and the people in Thailand decided to move the thirteen-foot Buddha to a new location.  As they went to move it with heavy equipment, the plaster cracked.  The movers inspected it and realized that the plaster that was so beautifully painted was merely a facade.    Underneath lay a solid gold statue of Buddha that weighed over 5 tons!  The gold Buddha was apparently covered in plaster to hide it so that warring tribes would not steal it.  For hundreds of years the great treasure underneath was unknown.

The true gold that is in a leader is rarely seen or unearthed until they are knee deep in poo-poo.  It’s not until a person finds themselves in tough spots, and they feel the pressure of trying to be moved and shoved and pushed that gold is discovered.  When they feel pressure on all sides and their exterior veneer gets cracked we get to see what really lies underneath.  For leaders we discover gold, for others we find, well…not a whole lot.

At one of the churches I used to work at I watched a leader put on an event.  It wasn’t huge in my opinion, nor was it an earth-shattering event, but it was going fine…overall.  There were a few hiccups and challenges that come with any event, but they were all minor requiring only small course correction.  However, I watched as this leader became cracked, and then watched as poo-poo leaked out all over everybody around him.  The minor pressure brought out nastiness not gold.  Leaders stand in poo-poo and direct traffic leading everyone to higher levels, that’s what leaders do.  Posers leak poo-poo causing the cess-pool that true leaders stand in and direct others.  This guy was not a leader.  He was a poser.

Think back to the last time you were in a stressful situation, when your exterior was cracked.  What leaked out?  Was it poo-poo, or did your colleagues and family discover gold?

Thank God For Bodily Functions

The Jewish faith has a prayer that they pray in the morning.  Traditionally this prayer thanks God for their bodies working correctly.  It goes through a list of bodily functions to be thankful for.  At first it sounded silly to me, but then I think that’s because all my bodily functions were functioning as they were supposed to.  I haven’t posted to my blog in a while due to my body not functioning like I want it to.  To put it plainly I’ve been sick.  My wife has been sick, and my kids have been sick.  We’re better now.

I realized this morning that simple things we take for granted.  When things are going well we don’t even realize it we just truck right along.  Funny thing is even our prayer life is less fervent when all is well.  Ironic how we really call out to God when things are falling apart, when people hate us, and when we are in the unemployment line.  We hit the altar of God crying out for a sliver of hope.  However, when we have no drama, our bills are caught up, and our kids make us smile, we get so busy that we just forget to still talk to God, our father.

Nope I’m not trying to throw you down a guilt trip lane and make you feel guilty for feeling good.  God forbid!

I’m just thinking.

Thinking is dangerous.

I hate it when all my kids do is complain.  I HATE IT!  In fact if I was honest, I’d say it ticks me off.  I’d say it even stronger, but then you’d get offended and wonder how I could be a pastor and harbor those feelings towards my kids…. well, simple.  I hate it when my kids complain, mostly because they have so much, and yet still complain about small insignificant things when they sit in the face of abundance.  How can you complain about headphones not being top of the line, when you are sitting in a heated house with food in the fridge and two loving parents?!  What the junk?!  It really torques me, until I realize I’ve been the same way.

I complain about different things – including being sick – when in all actuality I have an amazing body with very few issues.  I have an incredible family, a roof over my head, and my soul is secured in Christ!  So this morning I slapped myself and said, “Dude!  What the junk!?  Be grateful!”  So, now I’m grateful.  Are you?  Is your life defined by more complaints and excuses, or thanks and gratefulness?  Do you find yourself thinking of the things you lack and want, or are you focused more on the things you have and have been given?

Primal – New Book

I just read Mark Batterson’s new book, Primal, A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity. The book started out talking about how we need to get back to the roots of Christianity and that in today’s society we might be suffering from culture drift.  That what we hold dear to our Christian faith may possibly be a far cry from the origins of Christianity.  I found this especially interesting considering that Mark Batterson is the Lead Pastor at National Community Church in Washington D.C., and his church is an incredibly, culturally relevant body of believers that are working hard to reach emerging generations.  His cutting edge style is an inspiration to hundreds of pastors all across our nation.  So what does “primal Christianity” look like from the vantage point of Cultural relevancy?

Primal is a great read that is divided into three acute sections that attack and disseminate information in easily handled chunks.  He looks at four things of Primal Christianity, he looks at it’s heart, soul, mind, and strength.  His writing style is easy to read with poignant stories peppered in to make reading not just impacting, but down right enjoyable.  If you are gonna read any book in 2010, you might want to check out Mark Batterson’s book, Primal.  You won’t be disappointed.

Top 10 Ways To Navigate Grief During The Holidays

The holidays are a wonderful time for millions of people to celebrate life and the blessings of God, but for a very large part of our population the holidays represent a time of depression and an overwhelming sense of loss.  Many people have lost loved ones that were very close to them and this year represents the very first year that they will have to “celebrate” alone.  If you, or you know someone, that is in this situation here are ten things that might help you navigate this tumultuous time.

1. Don’t just sit and meditate on the person that is no longer with you.
2. Don’t attempt to recreate the same traditions without the person.
3. Don’t buy them a gift in memory of them.
4. Don’t watch sad or emotional movies.
5. Don’t feel guilty for experiencing joy.
6. Do find someone to spend time with (yes, you do know people.  Think!)
7. Do spend time outside of your home
8. Do find someone to do something for.
9. Do something that you enjoy doing that you did not do with your lost loved one.
10. Do keep yourself busy.

Beat The Rush

If you act now you can beat the rush.  Think about it, in just a couple of short weeks we will be on the threshold of Christmas, the most commercial and religious holiday of the year.  With that comes the old sagging (like grandma’s triceps) debate of “Happy Holidays” verses “Merry Christmas.”    So in order to beat the rush you need to choose your holiday (or Christmas) greeting now.

 

Right about now you’re hoping that I stay true to my Christian heritage and put up a theological smoke screen to support the boycotters in their attempt to force certain stores to put those darn words of “Merry Christmas” back on their walls.  Yea verily, tear down thy Happy Holiday idols, and replace it with the most holy of holy phrases, “Merry Christmas.” Because after all, Christmas means, “the Mass of Christ.”  It’s all about Jesus and his birth.  Plus, we all feel better about ourselves if we can join in the major flow of commercialism, buying selling and indebting ourselves to the great machine, and still make the clarion call of MERRY CHRISTMAS!

 

Of course the one thing we are absolutely positive of is that Jesus was not born on Christmas.  More than likely it was sometime during the summer like June or July, but not December.  That just doesn’t line up with historical fact and biblical timelines.  So why in December you ask?  I’ll save you the long description, but basically the ruler at the time was trying to keep peace between Christians and the Romans…So he combined the two holidays into one.  Viola’, Christmas.  So historically the celebration of Jesus’ birth has almost always shared the day with someone else…Hmmmm.  Maybe happy holidays fits better.

 

I know you think this is sacrilege, but what is the important thing about Christmas?  I know what it is for me but I’m not living your life.  Personally when I see people force verbiage like Merry Christmas, or Happy Holidays on anyone it’s foolishness.  It’s not a verbiage thing.  It never has been and it never will be.  It’s about something much deeper and more profound than a celebration or shallow words.  It is about taking time out to remember and celebrate the birth of Christ.  It is the one time of the year where 98% of Americans turn their thoughts to good tidings, joy, peace, and love.  Wow.  Tell me one other time during the year where you can get the majority of the population of our country focusing on the fruits of the Spirit.  Interesting huh?   So let’s all beat the rush and put down our verbiage placards of dissention, and recognize that there is no better time of the year to talk about, and lead others to, a meaningful relationship with Jesus Christ.

 

 

 

ART? DESIGN?

My guest blogger today is Vina Howell.  Vina is our graphic and web designer at SouthPoint and she is so gifted it’s actually scary.  Her are some of her thoughts.

“Good Art Sends a Different Message to Everyone. Good Design Sends the Same Message to Everyone.” – John O’Nolan

At this moment in my life, I think I’m ready to be an artist. What’s the difference between a designer and an artist? Artist express themselves through their unique taste, designers express the brand/ the company/ the people with their unique taste. Good art is talent; good design is skill. Design solves a problem; art evokes an emotion. Design has a practical purpose; art has a provoking purpose. Art is subjective; design is objective. Design has a client to please; art pleases those who connect with it.

 

Artist are dreamers, they break the rules, and create things that were truly just a figment of the imagination. An artist that parades as a designers soon becomes restless because they realize they are not living up to their God-given gifts and talents. They have been parading as a designer all this time, relying on their skill, doing things that are practical and living out the dream someone else had for their lives.

 

When an artist encounters the ultimate artist, the one who creates from nothing- The Creator God, things change. They began to see what others cannot or refuse to see. They look through a different lens that allows them to draw their life in a way that changes the lives of others. They are able to take the things that God has uniquely placed inside of them and pour them out on the canvas of someone else’s life.

 

Good art sends a different message to everyone. It crosses cultural and language barriers. It communicates in a way that written and verbal messages cannot. Artists create art that is subjective and everyone may not get why artist do what they do or why a piece of art is the way it is. But those who connect with it can be changed forever.  I think we all can choose to be artist. After all, “a life well lived is the most exquisite work of art.” –Erwin McManus

Reasons or Results?

I once read that Vince Lombardi used to gather his football players before the game and tell them, “in a few hours you will be back in this same room and you will have one of two things: either ‘reasons’ or ‘results,’” and then he would ask, “So what’s it going to be?”

 

If you strive and work towards, and in partnership with reasons, you appear to everybody to be a very reasonable person.  And after all this is a much easier path than all the rest.  You work towards something, or try and achieve something and anytime anything arises that is very plausible, we use that to deter us.  Some might call it an excuse, but your problem or situation is reasonable after all.  You have a reason why you couldn’t achieve your desired goal, and everybody understands because you appear to be a very reasonable person by deterring your desired path due to valid reasons.

 

I see people all the time that are not happy with their life or the outcomes they are getting.  They complain, and they are always quick to tell me why they couldn’t do this or that.  They have a viable reason for everything! You will always have reasons to not achieve, especially if you are working for reasons.

 

Vince Lombardi knew that he had just taken over a losing team.  When he took over the Green Bay Packers, they were 1 and 11.  They had a reason for every point scored against them and every loss.  They had been playing for reasons instead of results.  The purpose of stepping on a football field is to win, not find reasons for losing.  In no time at all Vince turned those Packers from a losing team, into the Superbowl champions.  Did they train hard?   I’m sure they did, but history shows us that hard training is not enough.  Vince had to change their mindsets from reasons to results.

 

Let me challenge you.  How do you end your day?  Do you find yourself telling others and your family the reasons you didn’t accomplished things, or are you enjoying the results of your labor?  If you answer that with, “you just don’t understand.”  Or any other reason….well you get the idea.

 

You are a new creation in Christ.  You have been given the mind of Christ.  Even though you might look reasonable to all your peers, what results are you seeing?  It’s time to put aside all the reasons, and begin working towards some results.

Seriously? Habbakkuk?

I don’t read anything in the Minor Prophets very often.  In fact the only time I really go there is while reading the One Year Bible….But this morning I felt compelled to read Habakkuk, and I’m glad I did.

Maybe it’s just me but times seem to be a bit overwhelming.  Everything is not going like it was supposed to.  I had my entire life planned out when I was five, but when the fireman thing fell through I went with preaching and it’s been pretty good so far.  Of course that’s not to say that it hasn’t had its ups and downs.  Yes there are struggles.  Yes there are more hurts than I ever knew where possible and there have been moments of terror mixed with agony.  Yep, Pastoring is by far the most trying and heavy thing I have ever done in my entire life.  But don’t misunderstand me, I’m not complaining; I’m just filling you in on some background to help you enjoy a great God moment.

So, here I am feeling the….well…..let’s just call it weight……So here I am feeling the weight of what I do, and I feel drawn to read Habakkuk.

And God blows my mind.

Maybe He’s saying it to you too.

Habakkuk was going through the hardest time ever.  EVER!  [you can read it yourself] At the end of the book, in Chapter 3:18 Habakkuk pens this:

“Yet I will rejoice in the Lord.  I will be joyful in God my savior.  The sovereign Lord is my strength, He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, and enables me to go on to the heights.”

You can just hear and feel the choice he is making.  In spite of the terror, in spite of the famine, in spite of the doomsayers and all the negativity he chooses joy!  That joy is so far from him he even has to make this declaration.  I choose joy!

All too often we think joy is something that is handed to us, but it’s not.  Nothing is handed to us, everything is a choice.  Which mindset are you going to walk in today?  If you say you don’t have a choice in the matter then you just chose a victim mindset.  But you have the opportunity to join Habakkuk, and me, and today we choose joy.  Joy in spite of the junk.  Joy in spite of the pain.  Joy in site of our lack.  Joy in spite of everything the world throws our way.  I choose joy.

Go ahead and make a verbal declaration – that means out loud – ‘I will be joyful in God my savior today.  He gives me strength.’

Choose Your Course

Sometimes I write an entry with a specific group of people in mind.  Sometimes I write an entry with nobody in mind, but this one I write with me in mind.  I’ve been reading a book entitled “Leading on Empty” by Wayne Cordeiro and it has been spectacular!  What an amazing book for leaders.  If you lead anything, you need to read this book.

Today I came across this thought and I want to share it here:

Four Life Courses To Choose From:

1.  A Life of Reaction

We plod forward on course until something happens to us and we change course.  We assume it’s “God’s Will” because it is really the only door open.  We live reacting to everything, creating nothing.  A life that is lived by default.

2.  A Life of Conformity

Going along with the crowd.  We often allow the way we look to trump what we believe.  This is the path taken by those who feel best when they are needed, and who thrive on being liked.  Leo Buscaglia once said, “The easiest thing to be in the world is you.  The most difficult thing to be is what the other people want you to be.”

3.  A Life of Independence

Purposefully steering your life away from the current majority.  Unfortunately you then align yourself with people just like you forming a clan of virtual clones.  Whatever sets you a part is trendy as long as it distinguishes you as different than the current majority.  It is a self-delusional way to live.

4. A Life of Intentionality

This is the life that you choose.  It is the best you now.  Things that come at you and force themselves into your life, you choose which ones you allow in based on your pre-determined intentionality.  You know where you are going and you are fully aware of what you are becoming.  You are daily stepping towards the new and best you.  It’s choosing a life that brings honor to God and your family.  It is not a victim mentality of what you were given or the cards you were dealt, but instead it is you picking up the deck of cards and staking the deck in your favor.