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.

Vintage Jesus

I'm reading a book right now called "Vintage Jesus" by Mark Driscoll. The last book I recommended on this blog was unChristian and I still strongly recommend that you pick it up, but I am endorsing Vintage Jesus even more. If you've never heard of Mark Driscoll, he's a hard-hitting, beer drinking, Jesus loving, Bible preaching, in-your-face pastor who has become one of the most influential young Christian leaders in the country. On top of all that, he's hilarious and although the book has some pretty deep theology, Driscoll is one of the funniest authors around and his humor and wit make for an incredibly engaging read. This is a great book for a seasoned Christ-follower or just for somebody who wants to learn more about who Jesus really is. I strongly suggest that you pick it up, read it, and then pass it along to a friend. Just to give you a sneak preview, here's some of the content...

Chapter 1 Is Jesus the Only God?
Chapter 2 How Human Was Jesus?
Chapter 3 How Did People Know Jesus Was Coming?
Chapter 4 Why Did Jesus Come to Earth?
Chapter 5 Why Did Jesus' Mom Need to Be a Virgin?
Chapter 6 What Did Jesus Accomplish on the Cross?
Chapter 7 Did Jesus Rise from Death?
Chapter 8 Where Is Jesus Today?
Chapter 9 Why Should We Worship Jesus?
Chapter 10 What Makes Jesus Superior to Other Saviors?
Chapter 11 What Difference Has Jesus Made in History?
Chapter 12 What Will Jesus Do upon His Return?

Hilton Head

We're heading to the beach! As summer starts winding down and we get geared up for the fall, we're taking a family trip to Hilton Head to catch last few lazy, Summer rays before the pace of life gets hectic again. This will be the first time Connor has ever seen the ocean. I can't wait to see his reaction! I love the feeling of standing on the shore and looking out at the horizon and realizing just how BIG God really is. It is an awesome and humbling feeling. It's going to be a great week.

What did we ever do before cell phones?

I've become so attached to my cell phone that I often wonder what I ever did before owning one. I'm now getting to experience my life in the B.C. (Before Cell) years, because last week, I accidently left my phone in Honduras. At first I felt naked, but after a few days, I found myself greatly enjoying the peace. It's been amazing! I've felt much more relaxed and focused without the contstant interruptions brought on by my phone. Now, I'm actually dreading going back to the world of the wireless. Don't get me wrong, I love being in contact with my friends and family, but if you ever find yourself feeling stressed, I would strongly suggest taking a voluntary holiday from cell phone use. Believe it or not, I've found that the world actually keeps spinning even without cell phones. Maybe those Amish folks had it right after all! My next step is trading in my car for a horse and buggy.