The Morning Hour (or at least 20 minutes)

I have many conversations that start out something like this:

Them: "I don't feel like I'm going anywhere in my walk with Jesus. Things are kind of stagnant right now."

Me: "Oh really. Do you talk to God regularly? When was the last time you read your Bible outside of church?"

Them: " I have been really busy lately. I don't have time to read the Bible and I don't feel like God listens when I pray so I kind of gave that up."

Me: "Well, maybe if you gave God a little bit of your precious time all of that other stuff would work itself out."

Them: "Maybe you are right but where do I start? Should I go to the Christian bookstore and pay $30.00 for one of those little bathroom books?"

And that leads me to this blog. Spending time every day with God doesn't have to take hours and you aren't less of a Christian if you don't wake up at 4am and pray for 4 hours before getting ready for work. The most important part is to get into a simple routine. Keep it consistent and keep it simple. You are more likely to stick with it if it isn't too complex. Setting up for your morning routine is also important. If you have to search for your Bible, pen or journal you are less likely to keep it up. Here is a simple plan to help you start out your day with God.

Say it: Before you even get out of bed thank God for the day. This can be a mumbled sentence. The idea of this one is that the first words you utter are praises to God. Sometimes if I have a lot on my mind when I go to sleep I wake up with it still on my mind. It helps me to realize that God is God and that puts everything else into perspective. “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24 NIV).

Feel it: Sometimes I don't want to get out of bed because the covers feel so cozy and warm. I know when walk out that bedroom door I will be faced with challenges that I might not be equipped to handle. The safe cozy bed is symbolic of my relationship with God. He is my provider, protector and loving guardian. When He wraps his arms around me it makes me feel safe and secure. Praise be to the Lord, for he showed his wonderful love to me. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. Psalm 31:21a, Psalm 63:3 (NIV)

Hide it: I can't stress the importance of reading the Bible every day. Start out with reading a little. If you can only comprehend 160 characters at a time then start with that. Reading the words of God will change your life. It also helps to start in the New Testament (That is the last 25% or so of the Bible. Check the glossary if you can't find it.) Often times I will try to find one verse or 2 that jumps out at me and write it on a piece of scratch paper. I will put the piece of paper somewhere where I will see it all day long. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path (Psalm 119:105 NIV).

Say it: Prayers don't have to be lengthy and complex. Simply put, have a conversation with God. What are you struggling with? What are you afraid of? What do you need (not want)? End your conversation by giving God praise once again. Have a 5 minute conversation with God before you leave the house. “Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! (Matthew 7:9-11 NiV).

This routine works but you have to stick with it. It takes about 37 times before something becomes habit. If you oversleep and miss a day don't beat yourself up. Tomorrow is a new day and new chance to connect with God!

Social Media Fatigue?

Social Media Fatigue?

Church As It Should Be (etc. etc.)

Sometime I am full on inspired to blog and sometimes I'm not. I have been going through one of those times when inspiration is lacking. I'm not blaming my lack of inspiration on a certain coffee shop where I used to spend hours in solitude with my computer, but when they moved that hideously awkward oversized and completely impractical table into the corner and made almost 1/4 of their available space unusable I decided to boycott them. I'm not bitter by the way because it led me to my new place of solitude where I once again feel inspired to blog!

As I look across the landscape of modern church culture I have to wonder how many Christians are boycotting their local church in a sense because of a small change that was made. This small change could be a new meeting space, music style, leadership or even teaching series. I think our sinful nature gives us a natural tendency to shop around for a place that meets our needs but when I look at the early church I see a group of people that were more committed to others than they were to themselves.

When we have a selfless attitude we are more willing to look beyond our own comfort, musical preference, teaching style, calendar and differences of opinion. When I think of the Christian church as it should be I can't help but wonder what a culture of selflessness would be like. How awesome would it be to have to tell someone that they will need to be put on a waiting list and when the first available opening on the tear down crew comes available we will contact them!

How sweet would it be if nobody was hungry, cold, homeless, depressed, jobless or lonely because every Christian gives of themselves as selflessly as Jesus did? I see a generation that is emerging filled with passion, drive and creativity. It is my prayer that they would use these gifts that God has given them to serve others and not themselves because when they do we will be one step closer to being the Church As It Should Be.

Shaken Not Stirred

Do you ever feel like you are in prison? I do sometimes. I don’t feel like I am stuck in a literal jail or penitentiary but it is kind of like that. Right now it is sunny and 75 degrees and I am stuck at work. I am free to go outside as much as I want but I can’t leave unless I want to lose my job. I get paid well to be in this prison and most of the time it is even worth it but right now I don’t think it is. If I had a car right know I wonder if I would be tempted to not come back from lunch.

I read about 2 guys that were in prison once and for some reason they really didn’t mind. For some reason they were very joyful and were singing and maybe even dancing (as much as their shackles would let them). Around midnight a crazy thing happened. There was a really big earthquake, an earthquake so powerful it rattled their shackles lose and even caused the doors of the prison to open. What is even crazier is that these 2 guys never tried to escape.

The jailer that was supposed to keep watch over them fell asleep and was awakened by the earthquake. Figuring all the prisoners escaped he drew his sword to kill himself. Why not? He was going to be executed for letting the prisoners escape anyway. As the cold steel was about to penetrate his flesh he heard a voice coming from the darkness saying, “Don’t do it! We are all here!”

Knowing the 2 guys were Christians the jailer asked them how he too could receive salvation and by the end of the night the jailer’s whole family had become Christians themselves and were baptized. I am starting to think that the jailer and his family were the one that was really set free that night

When I read about those 2 guys I couldn’t help but take a closer look at my own prison. It is really hard being at work today but I wish God would cause an earthquake in my Spirit that would remind me that I am free from my bondage of self-doubt and lack of confidence. I am free from the chains that keep me from being all and doing all God wants me to be.

I pray that God would use my prison to set multitudes of captives free. I wonder if that was the mindset of the 2 guys I read about that made them so joyful. Even though they were in chains, they were really free in Christ. By the way, you can read their story for yourself. It is found in the Bible: Acts 16:22-36.

Holiday? Fun?

I go through a cycle every year that seems to be happening earlier and earlier. When I was a child growing up I always looked forward to the holiday season as every child probably does, but as I have gotten older I have become less and less excited. At times I have to admit that I even question the point of the madness.

I can remember going on vacation to the mountains as a child and was surprised to find out that many mountain towns celebrate Christmas in the summer because nobody can get around in the winter due to the snow and winter weather. I am afraid that is the direction our culture is headed in but it's not so families can celebrate before the bad weather hits. Unfortunately it's no longer about the birth of our Messiah as it is about the healing of our economy.

I'm pretty sure Jesus was referring to people when he said he came to heal the sick, help the blind see and help the lame walk. Instead in America we use the Christmas season to boost sales, increase morale and sell diamonds. I can remember when the Christmas decorations didn't come out until after Thanksgiving but lately I have noticed that they come out earlier every year, and this year I started seeing decorations right after halloween.

Am I the only that is bothered by this? Today I had to honestly ask myself if I was part of the problem or the solution. I don't have a solution and if buying a bottle of perfume for my wife makes me part of the problem then I guess I am, but through it all I have noticed one undeniable truth. Music about Jesus becomes mainstream for at least one month every year.

I can't pick any other time of the year when I hear Jesus' name spoken so much either by his followers or by his haters. Personally, I think Christmas songs are a little bit lame. They all seem so somber and mellow when they are about the birth of the Savior of humanity. To me that warrants a bit more kick drum or wailing guitar. All of this ranting leads me to the point of this blog. Jesus is bigger than our holiday traditions, shopping sprees, overprices sweaters and Lexus sales.

As much as our culture tries to make Christmas about the latest fashion or gadget, Jesus will always make it about Him. The message of love, peace and forgiveness always seems to shine a little brighter during the holiday season. Relationships seem to be mended a little easier and families seem to be drawn closer together and for that I say thank-you to my Savior.

Happy birthday Jesus. You are worth all of the hype.

God, this hurts but I have hope.....

I have decided that I don't like running much. Oh sure, if I'm snatching an old lady's purse I might be inclined to flee the scene or something like that. (disclaimer: I have never snatched an old lady's purse nor do I plan to.) A few weeks ago my wife and I ran a 5k race that benefits a cause that is close to our hearts, and since I hate running I didn't train at all for the race. To be more specific, running for me is when I sprint across the hot sand with my surfboard under my arm so I don't burn my feet.

The last time I ran more than a quarter of a mile was at the 4th of July 5k ,which I also didn't train for, but none the less, there I was. I do much better when I run these things with the help of an iPod blasting loud music in my ears because the sound of my breathing really scares me. I sound like an overweight wildabeast running from a lion. This particular morning I had no loud music so there I was with nothing but my trusty watch letting me know many minutes I had until my untimely demise.

There was a point on the course where I came around a bend and saw the tents at the finish line. Once I saw the tents I got this renewed energy because I had a goal. If I sprinted for the remainder of the race I would be done with it sooner so I took off. I was running with my friend Eric who is one of those crazy people that runs for pleasure and even he was astonished at my sudden burst of energy. I crossed the finish line dry heaving and went over to a grassy area to puke. (By the way, I finished the race in 25:30 or so but I don't know exactly because I was a little distracted.)

I relive this horrifying memory because sometimes I think life is like that race. It is difficult, painful and sometimes involves puking, but one day it will end. I am a Christian, but I am also human and therefore I get weighed down by the burdens of life and sometimes praying doesn't seem to work. I try to draw closer to God but I can't see past my hardships. Just as seeing a glimpse of the finish line complete with the Cliff Bar samples and the orange slices gives me the strength to press on, seeing a glimpse of heaven does the same thing for my race though life.

The Apostle John writes this of heaven in the book of Revelation (21:3:7) "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.'

He who was seated on the throne said, 'I am making everything new!' Then he said, ' Write this down for these words are trustworthy and true.'

He said to me: 'It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son.'"

To me these words bring comfort because one day I won't live in a world that is decaying, that is filled with pain, death and darkness. Jesus has gone to prepare a place for me (John 14:2) and the day I cross the finish line of life I will receive the greatest reward of all.

Faith like a leaf blower?

I don't understand the purpose of leaf blowers. They make a lot of noise, they smell bad and just blow leaves and trash from point a to point b and kick up a whole lot of dust in the process. They blow air people! The wind will undue all of your effort anyway. To me leaf blowers are as pointless as bottled water.

I know of many Christians who live their lives like a leaf blower. They have the power to effect change but use it to move things from point a to point b. Sure, on the surface everything they do looks really clean and orderly but it will only last until the wind of life shifts direction or at best they appear to be making difference.

Personally, I think Jesus calls us to something much bigger. When I was a child I was awakened by my parents frantically yelling for me and my sister to get into the basement. Because a tornado was coming. When the storm passed we drove into town to assess the damage. We didn't get hit too bad but in town there were huge trees that were uprooted and debris everywhere. That wasn't even a tornado, just an 80 mph "straight wind" but it reminds me of the life that Jesus calls me to.

The Apostle James says, "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 'But some will say, you have faith, I have deeds'. Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do." To me, that is living life like a hurricane! Lately I have been spending more time with Jesus. You might even say I am on a spiritual quest to get as close to His will for my life as I possibly can but it is a little bittersweet at times.

The closer I draw to the heart of Christ I see how much He cares for people and when I look around my community, my nation and my world I see so much suffering, pain, hunger and depravity and it makes me wonder if Jesus looks at what we have done with the message of love that He entrusted His people with and is pleased. I hate that I have become so complacent in my faith that I have become a little leaf blower when God has called me to something so much bigger, so much more powerful.

At this time I don't have a plan of action. I don't know what I am going to do to make an impact on this world but I am going to spend some time figuring out what it is. I want to see the power of God unleashed on my city like a hurricane. I pray for the day when there isn't such a great divide between demographics. When the people that have extra give to those who have nothing. Strong winds have the power to level everything in their path and I wish God would do that to our society.

If every Christian joined forces and tapped into Christ's heart for humanity and really lived life as if Jesus rose from the dead, imagine how beautiful the damage path would be!