Christmas Worship

Merry Christmas as we celebrate the gift of LIFE that gives us all life. This Christmas may worship fill your hearts as we celebrate Him.

I worship on this Christmas Day
I worship in this season of praise
Born as my Lord, the Author of Life
Christmas Adored for a baby called Christ
Fixing my eyes where the honor is due
For the One worth remembering is You.

I will remember.
I will remember You.
I will remember.
I will remember You.

I worship this baby of peace
Like wisemen, lay my gifts at your feet
Born as my Lord, the Author of Life
Christmas Adored for a baby called Christ
Fixing my eyes where the honor is due
For the One worth remembering is You.

I will remember.
I will remember You.
I will remember.
I will remember You.

http://www.kimgentes.com/the-music/2007/8/1/i-will-remember-2005.html

Less is more and more is better

We’ve all heard “less is more” and sometimes that is true, but more is better too. Why?

More is better.

Giving more is better.

More people hearing the Good News is better.

More people taking steps in their spiritual journey is better.

More people experiencing life change is better.

More people having healthy marriages is better.

More people finding God’s purpose for their lives is better.

More people connecting to God’s heart is better.

More people experiencing His great love is better.

You’re the invitation and more is better.

Embracing the journey...pursuing the dream

Over My Head

Great truths to ponder...


"Over My Head" by Brian Littrell
I tried to figure it out
Time and time again and time again
I guess there's just some things I'll never understand
'Cause Your ways aren't our ways
But deep down in my soul, down in my soul
There is one thing I know that I know

I'm in over my head
Right where I wanna be
I'm so lost within Your love
The love that always covers me
So high, so deep, so wide
A strong and cleansing tide
My soul has found a place to rest
I'm in over my head

I've been holding on
Now I'm letting go, just letting go
Gonna let Your love carry me away
I don't know where I'm going
But I'm surrounded by the truth
And I can feel the current pulling me
Deeper into You

I'm in over my head
Right where I wanna be
I'm so lost within Your love
The love that always covers me
So high, so deep, so wide
A strong and cleansing tide
My soul has found a place to rest
I'm in over my head

You see me for who I am
You did reach out Your hand
You made me understand
That Your love has always covered me

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYtg2Ep4KKc&feature=related

Good truth to know when embracing the journey...

E- Matters

Clement Stone gave more than $275 million to charities, which ranged from mental health, to evangelical Christian, to youth welfare groups. ''All I want to do is change the world,'' he once said. That's a pretty audacious goal, don't you think?

Realizing environments impact our ability to achieve our goals, he said:
"You are a product of your environment. So choose the environment that will best develop you toward your objective. Analyze your life in terms of its environment. Are the things around you helping you toward success - or are they holding you back?"

Advent gives us time to examine our environments. When we discover the environment is not helping us know Christ, and make Him known, it's time to change the environment. Either we can modify the environment we're in, or we can choose to move ourselves into a new environment. Either way, our action (or lack thereof) will yield dramatic results.

As we prepare for Christmas, we can prepare environments that will move us to embracing a deeper coming of Christ in us. It's amazing that He came to us, becoming one of us. One product of your environment is you! I'm asking him to prepare my heart for the environments He desires for me that I might be more and more like Him as I prepare room for Him.

Ezekiel 36:9 - See, I am for you, and I will come and help you as you prepare the ground and sow your crops.

Thankful

Thankful for a God, who is with us and in us.

Thankful for grace and new beginnings.

Thankful to be a part of His plan in the Kingdom.

Thankful for laughter and life.

Thankful for family, and friends, and colleagues to partner with in ministry.

Thankful for physical, emotional, and spiritual healing available through Him.

Thankful children, who are learning who He is and a husband, who leads with gentleness and generosity.

Thankful to have a home, clothes, food and much more...

Thankful for the opportunity to make a difference for those who don't...

Thankful...and blessed beyond measure in the journey.

Thankful for the simple things that make the biggest difference...

Embracing the journey...pursuing the dream.

Change requires Action

What leads to change? Brilliant ideas don’t lead to change. Actionable ideas lead to change.

Need to fill your leadership pipeline? Hold leadership training classes.

Not as efficient as you would like to be? Educate the organization in the production system.

Collaboration a problem? Maybe some teambuilding activities. These are all good ideas and good choices.

However, they do not become actionable without the hard work required to unfreeze old behaviors, remove existing organizational barriers, and build new reinforcement mechanisms into the system. Actionable ideas lead to change.

Wondering what action needs to be taken...

PAUSE

PAUSE: Collaboration or Competition?

As the Apostle Paul put it, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others" (Phil. 2:3-4) We can also see Matt. 22:39; 1 Cor. 13:5; Matt. 7:12.

A biblical approach to negotiation may be summarized in five basic steps, referred to as the PAUSE Principle:

Prepare (pray, get the facts, seek godly counsel, develop options)
Affirm relationships (show genuine concern and respect for others)
Understand interests (identify others' concerns, desires, needs, limitations, or fears)
Search for creative solutions (prayerful brainstorming)
Evaluate options objectively and reasonably (evaluate, don't argue)

If you have never used this approach to negotiation before, it can take time and practice (and sometimes advice from others) to become proficient at it. But it is well worth the effort, because learning the PAUSE principle will help you not only to resolve your present dispute but also to negotiate more effectively in all areas of your life.

Embracing the journey...pursuing the dream...

Failure Realities

We’ve all experienced failures. I've failed; you've failed; we've seen others fail. Failure is part of the journey ---yet, not all failure propels us forward or is beneficial. Even so, failure can teach us much about ourselves and others -- failure is a learning opportunity.

I love this post from Tony Morgan (www.tonymorganlive.com)

This morning I tried to think through some common reasons why failure happens. I’m looking forward to some healthy conversation on this one. With that, here are:

10 Reasons Why You’re Probably Going to Fail

1. It’s not your passion. If it doesn’t make your heart beat fast or cause your mind to race when you’re trying to sleep, you’re probably doing the wrong thing.

2. You don’t have a plan. You need a vision, and you need to identify specific steps to make that vision become reality. That includes a financial plan. (I happen to believe you need direction from God on this.)

3. You’re waiting for it to be perfect. Test-drive it. Beta-test that new idea. You’ll fall into the trap of inaction if you think it has to be absolutely right from day one.

4. You’re not willing to work hard. Everything worth pursuing in my life has involved discipline and perseverance.

5. It’ll outgrow you. Keep learning. Keep growing. But more importantly, build a team of people including leaders that can be who you’re not.

6. You’ve had success in the past. I’ve watched organizations hang on to a good idea for too long. Time passes. Momentum fades. It’s risky to let go of the past and jump on the next wave.

7. You’re unwilling to stop doing something else. Complexity is easy. Simplicity takes discipline. You can’t build a healthy marriage if you’re unwilling to give up dating other women. Who/what do you need to stop dating?

8. You won’t build a team of friends. Anyone can hire from a resume. You need to find people you want to share life with. In the long run, great relationships will get you out of bed in the morning.
9. You won’t have the tough conversations. When breakdown happens (and it always does), someone needs to put on their big-boy pants and initiate the difficult conversation that leads to relational healing.
10. You’re afraid of failure. When fear consumes you, it will cause you to do stupid things. You’ll let negativity distract you. You’ll embrace the known, and grow comfortable with mediocrity. The more often you fail, though, the more often you’ll find success.


Here’s the deal. I don’t think this list is just about personal failure. This is about organizational failure (your ministry, your church plant, etc.). This is about business failure (your start up, your turnaround effort, etc.). This is about relational failure (your marriage, your dating relationship, etc.). The same principles apply.

Now it’s your turn. What else should be on the list? What are some other ingredients for failure you’ve experienced or witnessed? What would you add/delete from the list?

The Power of One

If you are asked to propose just 1 metric we should count for 2009, what would it be?

Suggestions might included:

80% participation in small groups
60% involvement in missions
60% tithing
50% involved in discipleship
365 salvations (1/day of the yr)

Or perhaps a last one would be: everyone lead one. If every person shared their Christ story and led 1 person to a life-changing relationship with Jesus...Everyone would be involved in discipleship - because the next morning that person has questions about following Jesus. Everyone would realize the value of community and groups.

Pursuit of Jesus results in transformation that addresses everything else...and everyone would be on mission. By making it an individual not a corporate goal, it also requires everyone to engage and cannot be satisfied by an event or small pools of overachievers.

What if we decided to make the entire focus of 2009 "One Story, One Life." We could still track other stuff for corporate metrics, but what if our team and church focus is to build, equip, pursue, celebrate and see everyone lead one. What if staff retreats are about strategizing how to best support that singular goal, and eliminating unnecessary distractions.

Here's to the Year of the ONE!

What's the measure

We’d say that measurement matters. The question arises with measure what? A "New Missional Report Card" could provide prospective. Here are some metrics used:

1) Number of new relationships formed where I know their names and they know mine.

2) Number of people who have been uniquely blessed by me and my community.

3) Number of people who invite me to be with their friends who don’t follow Christ.

4) Number of ways, my street, neighborhood, or community are more livable because of my influence.

5) Number of Christians that are actively confronting their consumerism and making adjustments at the life level.

6) Number of Christians that I ask or persuade NOT to go on mission with us.

7) Number of incarnational communities that commit to form around benevolent action instead of just a bible study.

8) How long people remain at our weekly gathering after the formalities are over.

9) Number of community-based initiatives our people are supporting with their time or money.

10) Number of young leaders we’re intentionally developing.

11) Number of people baptized: Still is a great guide to judge a persons commitment to follow Christ with the community.

12) Number of Bibles purchased because someone asked for one.

Pusuing the dream...

E3

Enthusiasm: passion ignites
Execution: essential element - without execution their is only an idea.
Excellence: attracts, determines the level of achievement and impact.

Whatever you do in word and deed do it all for His glory and fame. It matters. We are created for purpose that ignites a passion, a deep enthusiasm. When we embrace the enthusiasm we can fulfill the purpose, execution, while we soar to a new level of impact -- changing our world for His fame and glory!

Aim high,
dream big,
enthusiastically engage passion and execute with excellence.

The Difference - Sacrifice

It all begins with Jesus. It all ends with Jesus. He gave. He gives. We can give in His name and for His fame and glory. Giving means living a legacy...making a difference...changing the world one life @ a time.

Imagine what would happen if each of us gave a little to to those in need, imagine what would happen if we gave a bit more, imagine what would happen if we sacrificed. He sacrificed that we might have life. What will be our sacrifice?

Imagine abandon, abused, neglected children having food, shelter, clothing, an education and learning that there is a God and He is bigger and better than life; He loves them through us. That's the dream of Catalyst Resources International, Inc. (www.catalystresources.net).

Pursing the dream...embracing the journey of living more sacrificially...

Giving is grace

For God so loved the world that He gave.

Giving is grace. The reward is the giving. As we live, we grow. We become newer, deeper people. Our sense of confidence and trust grows. Our sense of vision ad hope grows.

"It is not 'when you give, God will reward you' thinking. The reward is the giving. As you give, you share God's grace. The act of giving is virtually a sacrament of grace. The act of giving is both a sign and an event of the generosity of God in our lives. In this sense, the act of giving is the sharing of God's grace.

The event of giving is like the break of a new day, with the sun sharing its life-giving warmth. The event of giving is like a gentle rain that gives new life to the earth and all who dwell therein. Giving is like the discovery of two friends that they love one another deeply and dearly. Giving has a warmth, a wonder, a grace about it. Giving is deeper than the oceans, higher than the mountains, more enduring than the earth. Giving is remembered long and well. Giving is its own reward." Kennon Callahan

For God so love the world that He gave...we give because in grace He gave...may we give our all on the journey for His fame and glory.

The Book

I found the quote below. It really spoke to my heart. May we each desire to have a relationship with God’s Word like Charles Spurgeon did. May we be people of the Book.

“Why, the Book has wrestled with me; the Book has smitten me; the Book has comforted me; the Book has smiled on me; the Book has frowned on me; the Book has clasped my hand; the Book has warmed my heart. The Book weeps with me, and sings with me, it whispers to me, and it preaches to me; it maps my way, and holds up my goings; it is the Young Man’s Best Companion, and is still my morning and evening Chaplain.” Charles Spurgeon

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us; He was full of grace and truth.

Embracing the journey, grateful the Word is alive and active.

Living and leaving a legacy

"However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me - the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace." Acts 20:24

Living and leaving a legacy is a choice we each make every day. I'm honored to be allowed to serve with Catalyst Resources International (http://www.catalystresources.net/). I got to spend the last several days in Guatemala. Our desire is that we would leave a legacy that speaks Jesus...Jesus....Jesus to all who would hear, see, and taste. We have such an opportunity to impact all eternity if we but answer the call.

Francis Chan says it this way:
http://http//www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBhqrtMqrv8

Steve Fee sings it this way:
There's a stirring in my heart Unexplainable
There's a calling on my days Undeniable, yeah
And there's a fire in my bones Uncontainable
And it's causing me to burn
It's causing me to burn
It's causing me to burn for You.

I 'll go anywhere; I'll do anything at any cost for you, My King.

There's a passion in my heart for the world to see
Revival fires burn, A great awakening
And there's a raging fire inside that's so high
And it's causing me to burn
It's causing me to burn
It's causing me to burn for you.

Lord, do whatever it takes so that we (I) burn white-hot for you.

Details Details

Not sure who said it, but
"it's all in the details".



Details derail or details deliver; I prefer the latter.

Og Mandino stated, “Never neglect the little things. Never skimp on that extra effort, that additional few minutes, that soft word of praise or thanks, that delivery of the very best you can do.”

When I read this quote, I immediately thought about the Raving Fans principle of “Deliver Plus One.” This principle teaches us to deliver excellence consistently and then to go beyond that to give people one percent more than they expect. The Og Mandino quote and the principle of “Deliver Plus One” operate from the same mindset. That is, always go the extra mile. (If someone asks you to go one mile, go the second mile with them ~ Jesus in Matt 5:38)

Church leaders are busy people and we can tend to get caught up in the big things. Today, I'm taking some time to think about the little things in life.

You may have heard that “the devil is in the details.” I prefer the opposite reality that God is in the details. Why? Because it’s the details – the little things in our lives and ministry – that give us the best opportunity to truly reflect the extent of God’s grace and love. I'm praying that I deliver his grace and love daily...through the details:).

Embracing the journey...pursuing the dream.

You Know You're Not Leading When

You Know You're Not Leading When . . .

I've had some conversations lately that have caused me to ponder, deeply reflect, and wonder. How do many people, each leaders in their own sense, define leading/not leading so differently?

Ever catch yourself not leading? I have and would think most leaders do at some point in time. I wonder what would happen if when we find ourselves not leading the way we believe God has called us to lead, we ask ourselves, "What does it look like for me to really be a leader in this situation?”

We’ve all seen the lists; you know you’re a redneck when, or you’re a nerd when, or you’re a English major when, or you’re a musician when…well, here goes:

You know you are not leading when . . .

· You wait for someone to tell you what to do rather than taking the initiative yourself
· You ask for way too many opinions before taking action
· You spend too much time talking about how things should be different
· You blame the context, surroundings, or other people for your current situation
· You think what you say doesn't matter
· You choose not to speak the truth in love
· You talk to others about the problem rather than taking it to the person responsible
· You aren't taking any significant risks
· You are more concerned about being cool or accepted rather than doing the right thing
· You seek consensus, rather than casting vision for God’s preferable future
· You accept status quo as the way it's always been and always will be
· You start protecting your reputation instead of opening yourself up to opposition
· You procrastinate to avoid making a tough call
· You don't feel like your neck is on the line for anything significant
· Others? I’m sure there are.

There is a time to lead…embracing the journey…pursuing the dream.

Premortem Insights

Feedback is an essential ingredient in every environment. How often have you performed a "postmortem" on a project or strategy that has failed? Ever tried a "premortem?" I wonder what insights we could gain and what obstacles might be eliminated if we took the time before we began the adventure?

Here's how it could work:
Leader briefs the team on the project then announces that the project "has failed spectacularly."
The team spends a few minutes writing down reasons for the project's failure.
Team members take turn reading one reason each until all the reasons are recorded.
Project lead and team look for ways to strengthen the plan before implementation begins.

Think that might help? I wonder how it might impact activities and relationships if we applied the concept beyond organizational projects. Could it be a part of "taking every thought captive' or "considering the costs" before beginning.

This idea comes from Performing a Project Postmortem, an article by Gary Klein.

I think it has powerful potential for impact as we pursue the dream...

CHANGE

CHANGE is important; CHANGE is inevitable; we can run from change or we can embrace it and become a CHANGE AGENT!

Below are some great thoughts about change from Perry Noble...great insights...

C-H-A-N-G-E (Posted: 27 Aug 2008 06:36 AM CDT)

So what’s involved in changing something up?

C = Calculation
If a change is going to be made I believe some time must be spent investigating the possible outcomes that will be associated with it. Some of the biggest mistakes I’ve made as a leader have been changing something without thinking it through.

H = Hesitation
When it comes to changing something that we’ve established…we always hesitate. Don’t get me wrong, I think pausing before making the change is healthy…however, when hesitation turns into an excuse to delay the obvious…problems WILL occur.

A = Anticipate Resistance
The very first reaction to change will always be some sort of resistance. As I leader I am coming more and more to understand that the first question a person runs through their mind when change is introduced is, “How is thing going to impact me?” And…if they detect that it may impact them in any negative sort of way…their natural tendency is to resist.

N = Necessary
Change is SO necessary! That statement was EASY to accept when we first began because we were changing the ways that other people did things; however, in the past couple of years or so it has become a sobering reality that the changes that are necessary are things we once thought of as edgy and innovative…which ISN’T easy…but, like I said…is necessary.

G = God Factor
What changes are God telling you to make? This could be personal…or even church wide. I know that He’s been speaking into me very directly lately and telling me some personal changes that I need to make in regards to the ways I lead myself and His church. God isn’t a dull God…and so following Him should never be either. He isn’t telling me the “why’s” right now…just the “what’s”…and getting comfortable with that has been an adjustment…but a good one!

E = Expectation
Whenever God leads us to change–we can expect fruit to come out of it. (See John 15:4-5) I have found myself getting way to nervous in the past when God leads me to change something when, in reality, I have NEVER messed anything up by simply being completely obedient to Him–even when that includes MAJOR change.

Truths to realize and live by as we embrace the journey...of change.

Walk out, come back and do it!

Ever read or hear something and you know that you know that you know it's powerful? It is important, challenging, and powerful if the challenge is embraced. Well, brace yourself because here it is:

"If we got kicked out, and the board brought in a new CEO, what would he or she do? Why don’t we just walk out, come back in, and do it ourselves." Andy Grove, former CEO of Intel.

Andy Stanley delves into this over at CatalystSpace.com

Can I tell you something? As leaders, there are certain truths (talks) that reach down into our hearts and grab us at the core of our beings. You've probably heard one or two like that. The challenge reaches deep, knowing that the truth it imparts impacts not only us but those we lead, -- those whose eternal destinies are impacted by the churches we lead.

I can't say where you are but if you are a leader, the challenge is clear. Are we going to change what needs changed? Are we going to answer the call, step-up and do that which is needed so that the Kingdom impact is huge, fruitful, and multiplied?

You know the kind of talk I'm talking about? This is one of those talks. You can hear it right here. It will be worth your time -- but it comes with a price to "Do what you've been called to do" ~ lead, challenge, push, obey the call, pursue the dream.

Boxes, Conversations, and Cupbearing

Ever find yourself wading into a discussion and realizing that there's actually a discussion that should have happened first...like you can't even finish the current discussion productively without your mind racing, without being confounded, without clarifying? You know what I mean right? You can finish the current discussion but you know in the back of your mind that there are legs in the journey that you had no idea existed; others have ideas or preconceived notions but you’ve not been engaged in the conversation or knew they existed until this moment in time; perhaps, someone has designed boxes that you didn’t know existed and really don’t know if they fit for you or your understanding…the journey can seem convoluted or like one who is currently stuck in Babylon, without having made that choice.


Mark Batterson in his newest book, Wild Goose Chase, makes the following Biblical challenge. “So what do you do when you are in those situations or seasons? Here is the best advice I can offer: be the best cup bearer you can be. This is where the adventure begins. Don't whine. Don't complain. And don't check out. Make the most of the situation. Do little things like they are the big things. Keep a good attitude. And faithfully carry out your current obligations.One of the greatest acts of worship is keeping a good attitude in a bad situation. And doing a good job honors God. It will also open opportunities down the road. It did for Nehemiah. He had an ordinary job but he did the best he could with what he had where he was. In my book that is a success. Nehemiah was successful long before he rebuilt the wall of Jerusalem. And I've found that if you are faithful in Babylon, God will often bless you a thousand miles away."

Great wisdom, insights, and something I’ve attempted to do; I think it’s a great personal challenge to be the best cup bearer we can be and have the conversations that are needed for the journey.

Empty Me

Isaiah 55:8—“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.

Anyone besides me know this to be true? Sure, we've experienced that reality multiple times in multiple ways. His ways are not our ways but they are right and good and the perfect design for us.

Experience affirms for us that things don't always go as we might hope or dream, and yet in spite of that reality, He can do exceedingly abundantly more than we can hope or dream (Eph 3:20) according to His power at work in us.

In reality, we are limited in sight and knowledge; we have known and unknown shortcomings ~ selfishness, vain ambitions, pride, things our hearts hold on to that are never meant to be ~ as the song says "Lord, empty me of me so I can be filled with You."


When we allow Him to fill us, we can believe. Abraham and Sarah as well as others proved God's faithfulness by putting their faith in His promises. In Genesis 15, we read that God took Abram outside and said, “Look up at the heavens and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.

Mark Batterson profoundly affirms, "Faith is not logical, but faith isn’t illogical either. Faith is theological. It just adds God into the equation so that what we’re able to imagine isn’t just determined by our human ability. " Abraham grasped reality (they were old), but he was also completely confident that God persistently performs His promises.

F.B. Myer declares, “Unbelief puts our circumstances between us and God. Faith puts God between us and our circumstances.”

Wonder why God took Abraham outside? So, He could see God and not be trapped by a tent ceiling. So, Abraham could experience the promise, the nearness of God in the midst of the circumstance. I wonder, how ofter do we trap God by ceilings or boxes we create?

The reality is we can trust every promise to us; we can place God between us and any circumstance knowing that He is faithful even though His ways are not our ways.

Embracing the journey...

Sacred Cows?

I wonder, "Is there only one way?" When was the last time, you moved in a new way, took a new direction, tried a new way? Habits and routines can be beneficial and/or detrimental. What was once fresh and effective can become "sacred" in a non-healthy manner. I wonder, "What is a current sacred cow?” When was the last time you asked that question at a leadership brainstorming session?

It can help to look at life personally, and organizationally to look at every event you do and every major program supported to ask "why did I (we) start doing it?"

Is it accomplishing its missional goals?

Is the leader responsible still impassioned about its intent, value and execution?

What has become a sacred cow that was once valued and effective but now is just draining, distracting and hindering us?

Are we as leaders willing to have everything be fair game?VBS? Fall Events? Particular mission trips? Our preferred styles?

It’s valuable to re-evaluate regularly. Sacred cows hoard resources and weigh you down as an organization or person. Melt the golden calves and use them for more purposeful pursuits!

Only one life...pursue the dream...

Listen & Reimagine

As we listen, sometimes in the silence, we begin to hear the echos...and Re-imagine

Can you hear Him?

Listen closely and you will...as you journey...He is there.

Listening in the Silence

"Wisdom is the reward for a lifetime of listening ... when you'd have preferred to talk." - D.J. Kaufman

'My son, (daughter, child,) pay attention to my wisdom, listen well to my words of insight" Proverbs 5:1

Learning to listen comes easy for some...for others it's a lifetime discipline. When we listen we gain heart insights and wisdom..."Be still and know that I am God." Sometimes, even the silence speaks.

There are all kinds of silences and each of them means a different thing. There is the silence that comes with morning in a forest, and this is different from the silence of a sleeping city.

There is silence after a rainstorm, and before a rainstorm, and these are not the same.

There is the silence of emptiness, the silence of fear, the silence of doubt.

There is the silence of peace, the silence of rest, the silence of waiting.

There is a certain silence that can emanate from a lifeless object as from a chair lately used, or from a piano with old dust upon its keys, or from anything that has answered to the need of someone, for pleasure or for work. This kind of silence can speak.

Its voice may be melancholy, but it is not always so; for the chair may have been left by a laughing child or the last notes of the piano may have been raucous and gay.

Whatever the mood or the circumstance, the essence of its quality may linger in the silence that follows. It is a soundless echo.

In the stillness, in the silence, if we listen...we may hear the echos of dreams yet to come...of imagination yet to be realized...of a deep calling...of those who are crying out to be heard...

if we listen we may hear the heart of others...we may hear the very words of God and gain wisdom.

Embracing the journey...learning to listen...even in the silences...

Relentless-- Summit '08 - Hybels

Session 9: Bill Hybels- "Relentless"–adjective that does not relent; unyieldingly severe, strict, or harsh; unrelenting:

God searches the whole world looking for hearts fully committed to Him.. there He sends His strength and power...

Mother Theresa decided to "refuse Him nothing"... What does it look like in my life to give God cart blanche' authority in my life?

Takes steps to move time and resources out of day to day worldly pursuits and more into His work...

Embrace callings from God without delay-so that lives are not lived with regret with "If only I had listened", "If only I had acted"...

Every leader can tell stories about how their dream almost died... It should come as no surprise when this happens to you (obstacles beyond your control, overwhelming circumstances)
How do I know when I hit obstacles if I missed what God called me to do or when God is working on His own time line? Be very careful when in this era....

Mother Theresa was amazingly relentless... just to be allowed to "start" her calling...
Outlast the problems, the obstacles, the people in the way- Who knows what God may do if you hang onto the calling- We must endure... Sometimes the calling may only come once in a lifetime...

Be relentless about becoming a Godly leader... be relentless to be someone worth following.
Mother Theresa: "I will seek to love Him as He has never been loved"- said in one of her "dry" times in her life...
Much of life can be lived without feeling the "presence" of God. Mother Theresa felt this... Hybels is honest about the same feelings..

Very powerful video.... "Here am I, send me..."-

"What life are you waiting for to finally step up and step into God's call for your life?"-BH

Thoughts:
Am I living in a way that will allow me to hear God's call for me and His purpose in my life?

There are some phenomenal "causes" in life. When do you know a trigger has been pulled in your life? When do you know when it's YOUR calling?

I think one of the hardest challenges of a vision/call/idea is having the persistence to go on while many people close to you are telling you all the reasons why it doesn't make sense...

God.... "Here am I.... send me...."

So... is it us? Do we sit back waiting for God to just do stuff, say stuff, and take care of stuff....or... are we stepping out because we are really His plan?

Why Gather?

Why gather? Why would we want to gather for a Sunday morning experience? Could it be that we need to bring our stories in to the light of the God story...to experience a renewed mind...to be transformed.

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." - Romans 12.1

Erwin McManus, in his book Wide Awake states "while our imagination is not limited, our thinking so often is." Profound truth. Experience affirms that our thinking gets contained, restricted

...by our old tapes that inform our feelings and behaviors

...by our misinformed notions of God and life

...by our need for security, to keep things "normal", as we know it.

What we think is critical; relationships are impacted and navigated, decisions are made, and events or appointments are prioritized based on what's in our mind.

As Christians, we are called to be Christ-followers. Christian. We're called to live life as created beings, surrendered to our Creator. Pursuing his passions, his Kingdom, his will, his character, his agenda, and all that He is. We are called to renewed minds and lives, transformed and surrendered to whatever that means.

Why gather? We need to gather to renew our minds because it's easier to let people, culture, and "normal" patterns of living to suck us into their flow. It's easier to restrict God's will by expecting him to make us happy with our desires in our time frames. It's a tougher challenge to surrender to His will to transform our mind - to help us live from a core of truth about Him, the world,
ourselves, and others.

We gather to experience the Living God as we bring our life stories into the light of the Scriptures, God's story. We gather to re-imagine...life, love and legacy.

From Ideas to Reality

How you move from an idea to reality? How do you ensure creativity and innovation are part of the equation?

What are you doing to capture ideas and then keep things moving in the direction of better?

Brainstorm? Post-it palooza? White-board? Test and evaluate?

The folks over at the Catalyst Blog (a really creative bunch of people) have a helpful glimpse of the 5 elements that drive what is regarded as the most creative conference in the country:

1. Create - This is about brainstorming, but it is also about volume. Imagine looking for 300 ideas for the creative elements of a conference! Could it be that this kind of volume happens when we don't stop too soon? To achieve this kind of volume you'll need to embrace a "yes and" culture (as opposed to a "but/or").

2. Criticize - This is big. Think about your creative meetings or team sessions; what happens when an idea is criticized? Can you imagine a culture where critique was not only welcomed, but expected? Wanted?

3. Optimize - What if there was an expectation that every good idea could be built on? What if you asked "how can it be better?" What would happen in an entire organization truly allowed iron to sharpen iron and spurred each other to a higher level? What if we embraced and lived next level thinking and acting?

4. Validate - Does the idea line up with the vision? Is it consistent with what you're trying to do? If not, does anyone have the courage to say no? Can we validate that it passes our values filter?

5. Execute - Creativity and innovation aren't enough. Executing on what you've planned is the payoff. Creating, critiquing, optimizing, and validating are all great...but it's the execution that makes it worth while. Execution is essential...the best ideas that are only partially executed or never executed fail to make a significant Kingdom difference.

Thinking Impact

"Within our dreams and aspirations we find our opportunities" ~Sue Ebaugh

As we find our opportunities, we will need to make decisions. Decisions and outcomes are intricately linked and they begin with thinking.

Do you ever wonder why decisions produce outcomes that are less than what you hope? Maybe it's because the thinking that determines those decisions is not based on the current reality. Maybe it's only wishful thinking. Albert Einstein said that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. And yet...many of us make decisions all day long that are based on assumptions that are no longer correct.

Some time back Andy Stanley talked about this concept in a message called "Breakaway." Here's what he said, "Your thinking determines your decisions and your decisions determine your outcomes."

I’m asking myself: "What are the deeply held beliefs that led me to make the decisions that produced this outcome?" I’m thinking this is where I might find an adjustment to my thought process which impacts decisions and outcomes.

Pursuing the dream...embracing the journey...

Re-imagine

Re-imagine...dream again. Take the journey...embrace the path...pursue the dream. This is the journey I'm on with a group of Christ-followers, leaders @ GR.

Imagination is a gift that can spur Hope, perseverance, and open doors of possibilites. Re-imagine God's love, re-imagine life with anticipation and joy, re-imagine laughter, peace, and purpose.

Possibilities exist...take the first step towards your created destiny.

Take time to sit and re-imagine then move toward action.

Opening Doors

"Pursuing a goal is a wonderful adventure of smiles and tears,
courage and fears, dreams and demands, passion and patience." Author Unknown

Some people see a closed door and turn away.
Others see a closed door,

try the knob,
if it doesn't open,

they turn away.

Still others see a closed door,

try the knob,
if it doesn't open,

they find a key,
if the key doesn't fit,they turn away.

A rare few see a closed door,try the knob,
if it doesn't open,they find a key,
if the key doesn't fit,they make one.

Think about yourself....what kind of person are you? Are you someone who sees a closed door as an obstacle, or someone who sees a closed door and knocks or tries the knob, or someone who makes a key? Doors can be seen as the opportunities, challenges, conflicts, and choices we face in life. Each door provides an opportunity to make a key, to move towards the goal or the dream; it could be the very opportunity to move from imagination to reality.

A Blessing

Franciscan benediction:

May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half truths, and superficial relationships, so that you may live deep within your heart.

May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom and peace.

May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation, and war, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain in to joy.

And may God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in this world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done.

May we be truly blessed indeed....

Reaching the Summit

Two days @ the Leadership Summit…Yikes!!!! Thought I’d pass along these thoughts…it’s just a tip of the iceberg but it’s enough for me to chew on for weeks…bring it on, God…sitting at His feet…10 things to ponder...

Gary Haugen
1. Leadership doesn't matter as much in things cheerful, safe, and easy... it's critical in things that are scary, dangerous and hard. Jesus did not come to make us safe; He came to make us brave. If I'm playing football and no one is hitting me--I may need to check to make sure I'm in the game.
2. God, please rescue me from all things petty.
3. Follow my compass not my clock. (Direction matters more- staying on course than my timetable.)

Bill George
4. We have knowledge workers--people smarter than the leaders of the company--give them the opportunity to lead. Each of has to find our true north, our authentic leadership and lead from that foundation, all else, anything less will take us off course and can lead to disaster organizationally and/or personally.

John Burke
5. Our job is not to fix, grow, or change people- only to work on the soil/environments we create. We do our part, God does His.

Craig Groeschel
6. Better ministry is better, not more ministry. In order to reach people no one is reaching, do things no one is doing.
7. God break my heart.

Chuck Colson
8. Your job is not to pander to your people, it's to lead them.

Catherine Rohr
9. Simple prayer: Bring it on, God.
10. God has better plans for me than I do; I just need to chill out and give up control.

Embracing the journey...pursuing the dream

Vision essential; Action Required

Many of us have heard "dream big" and we do. There's a passion in one's soul undeniable...a fire in the depths uncontainable...to see the dream become a reality-- to make a difference...to change a world...person by person, family by family, church by church, and community by community...to see the Kingdom come more and more in the here and now.

Dreams become realities step by step by step. How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. Dreaming big is essential and creating a process of implementation of the plan is vital. Change comes one decision and one action step at a time.

Truth:

Vision without action is merely a dream.

Action without vision just passes the time.

Vision with action can change a world.


What kind of church do you want?

http://www.leadingsmart.com/leadingsmart/2008/08/what-do-you-wan.html


What action will you take today?

Embracing the journey...pursuing the dream

Asking the right questions

Why would I?

Why would I do that? The question can be a compelling heart cry, an honest reflection, or perhaps cause one to pause and consider with another’s eyes which may bring a fresh perspective. I wonder if that perspective may come through other questions. Sometimes questions reveal more than answers will and sometimes answers lead to further questions.

Why would I do that? Why would I come to that event? What value will I receive by participating in it? What will I be missing if I don’t come? What are three good reasons I should be there? Who else is going to be there? Will there be anyone like me there? Why is this more important than the two or three other good things I could be doing during this same time? Will anyone notice if I am there? Will they notice if I’m not? What impact will this make in my daily life? Will it make a difference in the long run? Will it help me reach a destiny?

I wonder, “Why would I do that?”

Embracing the journey…

Making an Impact

A journey always begins with a step. Each step we take can bring us closer to the desired destination. As cultural architects, we can help people fulfill their dreams if we can help them take a next step. We can shape a culture by designing and encouraging next steps. By crafting the steps, it makes the journey not seem so huge as well as creates a “safe space” (known path).

We all need companions along the journey; it’s part of our creation. We are created for relationships. As social architects, leaders create social space that makes it safe. Safe social steps mean crafting the journey from public space to intimate space. We make the steps small enough to keep it safe; we move from public space (the large Sunday experience) to social space (groups of 15-30 people) where people intersect with others in a fun or learning environment to personal space (12-15 people) where people have developed an affinity with each other to intimate space (groups of 2-8) where mentoring, deep life-sharing, and coaching may take place.

So, here’s the question: What can you do to increase your cultural and social architectural impact? How are you creating the journey to help people take their next step?

Reflective Practitioner

The price of greatness is responsibility (Winston Churchill); we all have the responsibility to learn. If we are open to others, there is always something we can learn.

Are you a learner? Early in my ministry journey, I heard someone say that you could tell when a person stopped learning by looking at the copyright dates in their library. It’s an interesting reality; of course, today we have podcasts, DVD’s and lots of seminar options which didn’t exist 20 years ago!

Even so, the truth is that once we stop learning we're toast.

A great quote that shows this reality is from Jeff Rosenberg, Senior VP, Product Management at Google:

“Keep on challenging yourself, because learning doesn't end with graduation. In fact, in the real world, while the answers to the odd-numbered problems are not in the back of the textbook, the tests are all open book, and your success is inexorably determined by the lessons you glean from the free market. Learning, it turns out, is a lifelong major.”

Word Power

Words have power…power to breathe life…power to take our breath away…power to infuse us with hope…with laughter…with understanding…with purpose.

The simple phrase “I believe in you” can change a life…change a destiny…empower faith…create resilience…and produce perseverance.

All things are possible...embrace the journey…pursue the dream… imagine...

trust...journey...share...celebrate...listen...live...laugh....love...

Every journey starts with an open heart and a willing step...openness allows us to explore possibilities that bring the potential for dreams...that really do come true.



Embracing the journey...pursuing the dream....

Decisions - Decisions

The way we make a decision often proves as important as the result achieved, for it affects morale and commitment. Our culture accustoms us to the model of parliamentary debate. Unfortunately, this method usually entrenches individuals in their view as they seek to defend it, to disparage opposing views, and to persuade a majority to join their side.

A quantum shift can occur in thinking when we realize that the discussion of issues does not have to be adversarial. Instead, it can be a team effort to find the right solution. Rather than taking sides during discussion, everyone works together at a given time on the same task. The colors of the imaginary hats represent different tasks. Since everyone wears the same color hat at the same time, the prevailing mood is cooperation.

A Hat of a Different Color

Keep team members on task by identifying phases of decision making. You can give the decision process structure and make it more enjoyable. This visual aid, based on Edward de Bono's "six thinking hats," names six aspects of decision making and gives each a color.

Tell the group, "Let's put on our yellow hats." That initiates discussion on advantages of the proposal on the table. It also limits the conversation to advantages. When that discussion is exhausted, identify another tactic and ask the group to "change hats."

Here are the hats:
Blue: establish ground rules and guide discussion
(We’ll each share, time frame for each “hat”, use “I” statements, etc.)
Yellow: look for the advantages (List potential benefits)
Black: search for potential problems
Red: share feelings
(emotions that may be involved by those impacted by decision)
Green: brainstorm options and alternatives
White: determine what information is still needed.

Make the decision. Teammates wear the same color.

Embracing the journey...

Activate

Thinking about a Fall Semester of Groups, I read through Nelson Searcy’s book, Activate: An Entirely New Approach to Small Groups. It’s a great tool…a practical ministry book with a systems approach (how-to with practical application that moves beyond theory).

Here are 10 top takeaways from his book:

1. Think larger, not smaller. Larger groups minimize the weirdo factor, anticipates that not everyone who signs up will show up, and means less work for the facilitator.
2. The Four Spaces of Spiritual Growth are: a) public space, b) social space, c) personal space, and d) intimate space. Social space not initmate space is the purpose of Small Groups.
3. Be simple in your approach to groups and ministry. Too many options result in multiple focuses and lowered involvement; you won’t have full participation or momentum in any one area.
4. Entry into a group must be absolutely simple and fool proof. A one-step sign-up process, which removes barriers will greatly increase the number of people who decide to join a group.
5. Your small groups must function as a SYSTEM. Systems save you time, stress, energy, and money.
6. Every person on the church staff should have a hand in the development of small groups. Think full staff participation, not staff specialist.
7. Think decentralization, not control. As long as you have complete control over your small group system, you will only be able to go to a certain level before you plateau. Groups will multiply faster and be healthier when you trust God with your volunteer leaders and your volunteer leaders with your people.
8. The implementation of your small groups should go through a four month process cycle: a) focus, b) form, c) fill, and d) facilitate. Good ideas are common- what’s uncommon are people who’ll work hard enough to bring them about.
9. When planning for each semester, you need to have a goal of how many people will be attending Sunday mornings weekly during that semester. Then, you should have a goal to have 100% or more of that Sunday number in a group. Divide that number by 20 and that’s how many groups you should have giving you a basis for how many leaders, co-leaders, coaches, and managers you need to have in place.
10. When filling your group, you need to be strategic using multiple avenues for recruitment, tactics for getting the message out, and be singular in your message during that month of recruitment. Never underestimate the power of someone telling the story of their changed life through their group.

Time-Outs

Time-outs are a kid’s best friend. I’m not sure we’d get any toddler or young child to agree with that reality but time-outs are essential.

“Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today.” ~James Dean

Life is short…time passes quickly. We’ve all heard the statements and on some subconscious level we know the realities; yet, life creeps in and sometimes this truth can fade in to the background. We can’t be fooled by the calendar; there are only so many days. The truth is life is but a vapor and we are a flower quickly fading…here today gone tomorrow. Time-outs help us remember what matters…remember that we can make a difference…we can live a life of purpose….a life of passion…a life of making a difference. Thoreau said, “as if you could kill time without injuring eternity.”

Life is precious…we were created for a purpose….we were created to love, laugh, and learn…to live life abandoned to a dream…to leave a legacy. We were created for such a time as this…for now, for this generation.

Time-outs can give us the space to refocus, to adjust directions, to relax and reengage, to ask if we want to keep going the way we are…to assess what matters a lifetime from now…if you could be anything in this world what would it be? What would you stay up ‘til 3 a.m. talking about…dreaming about? Time-outs matter and time-outs can be our best friend. Every one dies, but not everyone really lives.

Embracing the journey…

Fusion: Fully-Engaged

Top 10 Takeaways (big view) from “Fusion: Turning First-Time Guests into Fully-Engaged Members of Your Church:”

1. Assimilation can be defined as “the process used to encourage first-time guests to continue coming back until they see and understand God’s power, accept Jesus as their Savior and commit themselves to the local church through membership."

2. By sending guests to you, God is giving you the opportunity to cooperate with Him to move someone forward in their journey toward Jesus.

3. A church in maintenance mode will probably have 3 guests per 100 people. A steadily growing church will have about 5 guests per 100. A rapidly growing church will have 7 or more guests per 100 people.

4. The Church should be a family expecting guests.

5. We live in a culture where the business world understands more about true expressions of hospitality than the Church does (i.e. Detail matter; systems sustain the strategy.)

6. The more prepared a church is to receive guests, the more guests a church will receive.

7. You have 7 minutes from the time someone arrives on your campus to convince them to come back.

8. If you want to have any hope of assimilating your guests, you cannot let them leave without knowing how to connect with them. The art of communication is the language of leadership.

9. The most powerful word for change in your church is “because” (and obviously the words and communicated principles that follow).

10. All follow-up should be fast, friendly, and functional. It should provide a “wow factor” that pleasantly surprises people and stirs up a desire to give church a second, third, and fourth chance.

There is a lot of “how-to” in this book with many detailed system ideas which aren't listed above. For practical application that has a proven effectiveness, Fusion can be highly recommended for every pastor, staff person, or ministry volunteer that wants to see the Kingdom advance as a result of what God is doing through you.

Pursuing the dream...

Problem Free

The Problem-Free Pursuit…

People often assume that there are problem-free solutions. However, the reality is that with strategy and strategic planning there is no problem-free solution. In other words, every solution has a set of problems that accompanies it.

So, how do you determine which solution to use? The majority of groups simply go along with the loudest voice or the most powerful voice...or the most authoritative voice. While this can produce a solution or direction, what if we identify all the solutions that seem best...actually list all the reasonable ones...and then assess the problems that accompany each with brutal honesty. Don't play favorites. If we need to, bring in a nonpartisan bystander. This is a fantastic team exercise that will help your team work through the possibilities. Once you've carefully listed out the problems of each solution (they'll all have problems) your work is half done. Next, make your decision about what to do based on which problem set you'd rather have.

Interestingly, you may find that the pursuit of problem-free solutions is regularly related to maintaining the status quo or delaying implementation of changes. Change is inevitable. Consequently, we can steward our change by deciding which solution provides the best opportunity to address Kingdom advancing problems. In stewarding the solutions, you can provide forward momentum in Kingdom advancement.

Pursuing the dream...embracing the journey.

FREEDOM

Freedom…just the sound of the word brings possibilities. Freedom brings new possibilities. Freedom brings relief…Freedom brings the possibility of restoration and reconciliation. Freedom is not merely the opportunity to do as one pleases; neither is it merely the opportunity to choose between set alternatives. Freedom brings thankfulness.

There is a wonderful mythical law of nature that the three things we crave most in life -- happiness, freedom, and peace of mind -- are always attained by giving them to someone else. ~ Peyton March

Could it be that true freedom comes in what we give not what we get? As we let our own light shine, we give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our fear, our presence can liberate others.

Freedom is like taking a bath -- you have to keep doing it every day! ~ Florynce Kennedy

It’s also been said this way, “It is for freedom that Christ has set you free. Stand firm and do not let yourself be burdened again by a yoke of slavery” (Gal 5:1)

We can be free to ask questions, free to explore, free to make mistakes, free to hope and free to be at peace. We can be freed from sin, free from the patterns of the world, free to live for Him, free to be who you are created to be, free to find our purpose in life, free to live outside the box, free emotionally, free financially, and free spiritually in Christ.

Freedom…FREE to DREAM...just the thought of it brings possibilities...embracing the journey

Systems Required

Purposes without processes (systems) are like an ice-cream sundae without ice cream; pointless, some would say. Systems supplement strategy. Simple and strategic systems create steps for movement…a path for growth. Deming states, “If you can’t describe what you’re doing as a process, you don’t know what you’re doing.” Processes (systems) allow people to engage the journey.

We all have systems. Just listen to a hungry baby and you quickly know that their respiratory system is taking in air and their circulatory system is pumping blood so they can let out that cry to satisfy their hunger for the digestive system to begin its work. We all are a set of intricate systems. It’s interesting that God created us with many intricate systems and said that we are made in His image. Could it be that God is in to systems?

Physically, we would probably all agree that healthy systems equate to healthy bodies. Since all truth is God’s truth, we could write the equation: Healthy Systems = Healthy Church.

Deming affirms that our systems, whatever state they are in, give us exactly what they are currently designed to give us. The real question is, “Do they help us get where we desire to go?” Do our systems propel us toward Kingdom advancement and transformed lives? Do our systems need a redesign?


A system is simply a strategic process that

Saves You Stress, Time, Energy and Money

while continuing to generate desired results.

Leadership and change ~ Random realities

Leaders articulate the vision over & over. Just when you think people must be sick of hearing it, many people just start to understand. Why? Vision leaks and mission drifts ~ so we must continually refocus.

Vision is a prerequisite of leadership; fulfilling God-given vision is the aim of leaders.


As leaders, we learn a lot more from our failures than we do our victories.

Change is hard. Massive change is massively hard.

Change is inevitable. The question: Will we change for the better…or change for worse?

To change…we often need to “feel” the need deeply to be sufficiently motivated to voluntarily change.

Change for change may only be chaos; sometimes chaos can catapult a collision with destiny…leaders listening to the winds of the Spirit…essential for discernment.

If things are going well, you have to work on it continually. Otherwise it will disintegrate. If you want things to be better, you have to exponentially invest time and effort. That is leadership.

Change will never happen by itself...it takes leadership to effect change.

Whether it’s your family or ministry, things will naturally tend toward confusion and disorder. In a closed system (with no input of energy), confusion and disorder must increase. So, it is up to leaders to continually inject energy into the system.

The single most important element in your ministry is leadership; it’s more important than worship, discipleship or missions outreach. Why? The many facets of ministry will not effectively advance the Kingdom without good leadership.

God calls leaders because when the masses lead history affirms you often get a riot or mediocrity ~not a very desirous result.

Pursuing the dream...embracing the journey

FIT

“You must have long-term goals to keep you from being frustrated by short-term failures.” – Charles C. Noble

Those on our team and the systems we create can help us look at and realize long-term goals.
With staff and ministry team members, it is critical to have “the right people on the bus in the right seat” (Collins: Good to Great); having the right members in the right spots is an essential element not an optional item on the sidebar of ministry.

Teammates either catapult us forward or create speed bumps in the road. We’ve all heard of first things first but what about first staff first. First year staff will be different from second or fifth year needs. Sometimes a bump comes when roles need to shift. Some team members are for a season, some grow, learn, and switch roles to find their true sweet spot, and some join the team to take it to the next level. Systems can aid the journey as they create platforms for discussion, exploration and evaluation. Typically after a lead pastor, a worship leader is a crucial staff position and then children’s unless your demographic does not necessitate (doesn’t generally have children). Team fit and team position are tied to passion and skill. Journeying long-term requires a fit.

How’s your fit? How’s your system for exploration and evaluation? “Those closest to the leader will determine the success of the leader.” – John Maxwell

Embracing the journey...

Heart Truth

We know the truth, not only by the reason, but also by the heart.

~ Blaise Pascal

Heart truth is not easily forgotten. We can know truth having been taught by our parents, having read it in the Bible, or having learned it in a class; yet, it can be illusive when it’s informational truth. When through experience that truth explodes and invades our hearts, we know that we know that we know it is truth.

“You will know the truth and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32). Most of us can picture, Mel Gibson in Braveheart shouting, “FREEDOM!” Even better, can you picture Christ standing with arms wide-open shouting “FREEDOM”? Now that’s a powerful truth! Free to celebrate, free to be who He’s created us to be, free to ask questions, free to embrace an unknown path, free to trust, free to have faith, free to know, live, and experience truth.

How often do we get caught in the circumstance rather than truth? The world shouts, catastrophes collide, old tapes play in our heads, doubts creep in, fears arise, and the quiet still voice of truth can slip away.

No wonder the Apostle Paul encourages us to “take every thought captive’ ~ being held captive by truth is a lifeline. Standing on the foundation of truth, we know “the Lord our God is with us wherever we go”; we can rest in sovereignty and stand in awe of His majesty each and every time we experience truth.

I wonder what would happen if our aim was to help others experience truth, the truth of God’s love and heart for them. Embracing the journey…