A New Era at the Creek

This past Sunday at the Creek was the grand opening of our new facility and I don't think I've ever experienced such an energetic, high-energy, God-inspired day of worship in my life! I'm fully expecting to see lives changed and decision made ever time we gather together for worship and God will get all glory. We're heading into the most exciting season of ministry in the history of our church so hold on and get ready for a wild ride! It's gonna rock!

The Space Between

I’ve heard it said that life is what happens while we’re busy making other plans. I know that’s been true in my own life. The most life-changing and course-redirecting moments in my life were brought about in the intervals in between my carefully chosen course. In other words, the great moments I have experienced have consistently come in spite of (not because of) my own agenda.

The Bible says that there are many plans in our hearts, but ultimately, it's God who guides our steps. I'm firmly convinced that when we make ourselves available to God and His purposes, He will guide us to destinations more incredible than anyplace we could ever dream up on our own. It just takes the decision to pry our fingers off the steering wheel of our own life and putting our life into the hands of the only One who is capable of making the most of it.

Kids will say anything!

Kids are bold. They will say anything and we love them for it. Be honest, deep down you’ve envied the freedom kids have to say whatever is on their mind. Like the classic scene from Austin Powers where he temporarily lost his power to have “inner monologue, Baby” and said anything and everything that came to his mind, kids do it everyday and get away with it. Here are just a few classic one-liners I’ve heard uttered from the mouths of babes over the years...

“My mommy says she can’t believe you’re wearing a white wedding dress!”
“How did you get to be so fat?”
“Why does your face look that way?”
“My mommy and daddy like to wrestle in their bed.”
“You smell funny.”

Ah, to be a kid again. Of course we have to act shocked and offended when one of our own children says something this, but deep down we smile, because we realize that God gives us children (at least in part) to say the things out loud that we only wish we could say out loud.

How to make Friends

“The best way to destroy an enemy is to make him a friend” –Abraham Lincoln

Kids know how to be friends. They just do. Sure, they’re horrible at sharing and they’re likely to steal each others dolls or monster trucks, because all of us are born selfish, but even still, kids seem to have the friendship thing down pretty well. A big reason why kids are so friendly is that they see every human being as a potential friend. My boys will play with any person of any age or ethnicity or political affiliation, and it has nothing to do with their upbringing. They simply haven’t had time to learn the ignorant, friendship-limiting biases that we adults know all too well. To be a great friend, simply start by being friendly to everybody. It’s simple (and Biblical) and you might just make a new friend!

Leadership Summit

Our church is a satellite location for Willow Creek's annual Leadership Summit. Today, our church joined forces with tens of thousands of Christian leaders all over North America and we were challenged and inspired by some of the most courageous and innovative leaders in the world. My head is still spinning from the wealth of knowledge that I'm trying to process and there's way too much good stuff to try to condense it here, but if I had to share just one "take away" from the entire day, it would be the reality that God wants us (His Children, His Church) to take action! I think that we too often wait for God to move instead of realizing that He's always moving and we're the ones who are sitting still. Not even God can guide a stationary object. Whatever good work or vision God has placed on your heart, go for it! In the grand scheme of things, the only way you can fail is to not try at all.