Go Vote!

Well...I won't spend much time on my blog or in person talking with you about politics. But I thought I would share a blog with you from Tim Stevens that was right on in terms of how I feel. This summarizes where I am at leading up to the 2008 elections:

Tim writes:
I don't put up political yard signs. I don't care how much I like the candidate or believe in his/her views--a yard sign or bumper sticker puts a potential wall between me and my neighbors. Views on politics tend to isolate and polarize. It's more important to me that I build a relational bridge to those around me than letting them know who I'm voting for.
I don't care if the Republicans lose the House or Senate. It's not going to matter all that much. It doesn't matter what happens in Washington...they can't change hearts. And until hearts change, this world is not going to change. That's why I've given my life to the heart-changing business.
I'm sick of political advertisements. For the most part, they insult my intelligence and treat me like an idiot. The "mute" button is my friend.
I love America. I like our system. It has its' flaws, but it is a representative system and mostly reflects our corporate values as Americans. I really respect the men and women who give their lives, under unbelievable amounts of scrutiny and pressure, to enter the political process and try to make America a better place to live.
Anyone who doesn't vote is a loser. Really. I want to say harsher things about you, but let's just leave it there. I have verbally pummelled my friends in past years who have admitted that they just couldn't find time to get away during the day and vote. Grow up. Plan your day. People all across the world make it to polls even though they might get shot in the head on the way there.

Truth of the matter is...You may be thinking of staying home from the polls this year. You might even think you have good reasons. Like...
My vote won't matter. REALLY? No one knows what the results will be. And you can't pay any attention to the pollsters or reporters. TRUTH is...they all have an agenda.
We need to make sure that we exercise our freedom to vote...a freedom, let's not forget, that thousands of Americans died for so that you could have the choice.

The lines will be too long. I've heard people say they can't get off work. They don't have time. If you want to vote, you can figure out a way.

Go Vote! And after reading this...hopefully you're not still brave enough to tell me the reason you aren't voting next week. =)

Advice For The Single Guy

Check out this highlight from Perry Noble's message this past weekend. It's a message series for women but ironically, this outtake was actually delivered to single guys. Here’s the video:


Beautiful_02- Single Guys Outtake from NewSpring Media on Vimeo.

Single ladies I would have to say don't settle for anything less...and when it comes to anything less I think this video will help make the point.


Beautiful_01 Crumbs Outtake from NewSpring Media on Vimeo.

What Do You Want?

Yesterday after a long staff meeting I was really asking God for some clear direction about where we are at and where we are headed.

We want to see people become fully devoted followers of Christ and help people take their next steps toward Him...no matter where someone is in their spiritual journey. And as a leadership team we are in a place where we are looking at what we're doing and trying to make honest evaluations on what we're doing and it's effectiveness.

This morning I was reading Jonathan Herron's blog and what I read wrecked me. It was as if God was answering for me some of the questions we were asking less than 24 hours earlier.

Track with me through of few of the quotes on his blog...
Charles Stanley when it comes to growing as a Christ-follower:
"God has many associates but few intimates."

And Jonathan goes on to say, "It is true that we all have as much of God as we truly want."

The he quotes A.W. Tozer, who writes in The Pursuit of God:
"Why do some persons 'find' God in a way that others do not? Why does God manifest His presence to some and let multitudes of others struggle along in the half-light of imperfect Christian experience? Of course, the will of God is the same for all. He has no favorites within His household. All He has ever done for any of His children He will do for all of His children. The difference lies not with God but with us."

BOOM! Can you say WAKE UP CALL? Read that last line again. "The difference lies not with God but with us."

He goes on to ask the questions:
Feeling complacent in your spirituality?
Complaining that you want to "go deeper?"

Tozer challenges us to look in the mirror and shares the "secret of the saints":
"...The one vital quality which they (saints over the centuries) had in common was spiritual receptivity. Something in them was open to heaven, something which urged them Godward...
...They had spiritual awareness and they went on to cultivate it until it became the biggest thing in their lives. They differed from the average person in that when they felt the inward longing they did something about it. They acquired the lifelong habit of spiritual response."

And then Jonathan asks some questions that only you can answer for yourself...
Are you an Associate of God or an Intimate?
Do you crave more of Jesus?
Do you pursue more of His Church?

This may be a news flash to you...but we follow the God who waits to be wanted!

Settle For Nothing Less

Yesterday I spoke on the phone with a couple who's wedding I'll be doing in November. They live in NewYork City so it was necessary that we meet by conference call yesterday afternoon. I'm looking forward to being a part of their special day.

Every time I prepare to do a wedding or speak with a couple who's about to take this gigantic step it causes me remember back to my wedding day and the commitment that I made to the love of my life. Something I would do over and over again if given the choice...

Talking with this couple yesterday again reminded me of what love is and what it stands for. Knowing that God designed marriage to make us holy. Knowing that there is such a deep commitment to REAL love.

I think it's real important that before you get married that you have a fully functional understanding of love. 1 Corinthinans 13 is a good place to start...that's the foundation of what I'm using to build my LIFELONG relationship with my wife.

Steven Furtick, pastor of Elevation Church shared on his blog a story about his grandmother and grandfather. It’s a story that moved me. He stated that several years ago he wrote a few paragraphs about their story and he posted them on his blog. I wanted to share them here. I think it's the perfect ending to this post.

CLICK HERE TO READ STEVEN'S STORY

Great Links & Things I'm Thinking About

Here are some great blogs worth checking out...
I love what Perry has to say on his blog. Great advice for any man...not just pastors.

Ed Young has some great things to say about the upcoming election. If I know Ed like I think I do...I know who he's going to say we should vote for. (Hint: It's not one of the two running.) That being said he's got great advice about how we can make a difference in the upcoming election.

Based on our LifeTeams study this past Sunday where we dealt with distortions of our self-image I thought this was a great post to follow that. Anna Meadows did a post entitled, “Insecurity sucks!” It was great to read on the hills of our discussion Sunday night. You should take a minute or so to check it out!

Now: Some things I'm thinking about...
- This weekend we are beginning our new series "Jonah." I am praying like crazy that you NewLifers will go all out and invite people to church.

- The NUMBER ONE REASON people come to church for the first time is because someone personally took the time to invite them. I’m asking God to show me who I need to invite before Sunday.

- We have a solid plan in place for our Christmas services...WOW...hearing some of the music and seeing some of the video! I can't wait...I think it will be our best Christmas yet!

- I REALLY hope TCU flat out DOMINATES byu tonight…that would make me really happy!

- And in case you were wondering...I’m really excited about speaking this Sunday!

Pumpkin Carving Night

If you follow my twitter feeds you have already seen these...but here's how we spent a quiet evening at home last night.

We started this tradition when Braden was one and now every October we go pick out a pumpkin and come home and carve it.

I love keeping and starting traditions with my son! I hope they stick and he does them with his kids some day...

What kind of traditions do you have with your kids/family?

Monday Morning Thoughts(er...Ramblings)

Here is some of what's on my mind...

• Wow I had lots of fun yesterday! =) Hope that's okay with everyone...
• I am really excited about the new series that we're going to be starting this next weekend! I feel it's going to be another life changing series somewhat like what 30 Days to Live was like. You should go all out to get your friends and family members here for it!
• I know some of you might think that I say that every series...but I think you should understand that I am stoked about what God is doing and I am anticipating what the Lord is going to do in our church and community!
• AND…I WILL NOT apologize for the passion that I have...God's placed a fire in my herat and it's going to burn until the day He calls me HOME!
• All that being said...NewLifers…will you take five minutes every day this week and ask God to…#1 - Do something awesome among us during this next series. #2 - Ask God to make you aware of who you need to invite.
• Something that I read that REALLY made me think...“It’s a revival when the non-Christian world looks at the church and says that something is going on–NOT when the church says its a revival!”
• Pray for Scott and Laura...their first baby is due any day now. I know they are excited and can't wait to see their baby. I told Scott Saturday that there's nothing like it! I couldn't describe to him the overwhelming flood of emotions that explode from the deepest parts of your heart when you see your baby for the first time...They are going to be great parents.
• Wondering why I've only gotten a few emails so far about being a part of LifeImpact...hopefully everyone's typing them out right now...?

A few thoughts from our LifeTeam study…(wow God used LifeTeams last night to stretch the heck out of me!)

• We talked about our identity and what distorts our preception of self. It was incredible.
• I am CONVINCED that there are tons of people in our church (including those of you that are reading this blog) that KNOWS God has called them to attempt great things for Him…but FEAR is holding you back!
• I don’t know about you…but I don’t want to blow through my 30’s, 40’s and 50’s and then spend my 60’s saying, “I wish I would have…”
• Life IS short–we’ve got ONE SHOT…we might as well go all out & be who Jesus asks us to be!

I was reminded this morning of what Perry Noble shared with us during the One Prayer series...NewLife…hold onto your fork…the best is yet to come!!!

Why Does God Allow Hardships?

• To force our need to the surface…
  …So we can comfort others with the comfort we have been comforted with.
  
• To force the issue to the surface…
  …So we can recognize it, and speak into it.
  
• To force our faith to the surface…
  …And produce a deeper gratitude in our lives.

Legos

When I was younger, I loved legos. But then as I got older I started to like other things, so I quickly forgot about those colorful little building blocks.

Apparently, there are plenty of people out there who still like them.

Take for example the people who make those way-too-involved Lego trailers…can you say overkill?

My Good and His Glory

The Bible says that the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord.

That’s a great verse. A powerful promise.And it’s even more powerful in its context.
Because the verse right after it continues:
Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the Lord upholds him with His hand.(Psalm 37:23-24)

I know that I’ve been encouraged many times by reminding myself that God orders my steps. He is The One who helps me make wise decisions. He guides me in my choices.

But doesn’t it encourage you even more to know that He even orders your falls?
He doesn’t just help me choose the right path. He redeems me graciously even when I choose the wrong one.

He not only orders my successes but He orders my failures too.
And it all works together for my good, and His glory.

My Chief Spiritual Advisor

Earlier this week I posted a picture of Billy Graham. I read recently where he referred to his wife, Ruth, as his Chief Spiritual Advisor. I like that a lot.

I want to take a moment today to honor my Chief Spiritual Advisor, Terica. Many of you may not realize it, but NewLife would be in pretty sorry shape without her. Scratch that… it probably wouldn’t even still exist.

Thank you for all the ledges you’ve talked me down from. Thanks for all the rants you’ve endured, and all the crazy ideas you’ve politely and tactfully helped me to filter out.

On the other hand, thank you for all the crazy ideas you’ve poured gasoline on until they burned high enough for others to see. You believe in me a lot more than you probably should.
I want you to always know that your words carry more weight with me than anyone else’s because you’re always on the mark.

Thanks for keeping such a fast pace with me. We’ve got a lot to do. And the best is yet to come.

Economic Difficulty

$700 BILLION. Yes...that was with a B.

Let's let that sink in a moment... OK, that's the cost of the financial paddles that the government is about to use to jumpstart our economy's faintly beating heart. Clear!

The consensus is that in order for banks to lend and for businesses to spend so employees can be paid and hired, this is the only option left.

LESSON #1: Greed doesn't work. True, there are some who walked away while hanging us with the bill, (see Newsweek's article, Who Got Away With What), and look at the financial whirlwind it will cause.

LESSON #2: There's no such thing as a sure thing. No matter how much or how little we have, the only constant is Christ. Period. And unless I live my life like that, I will ALWAYS pinball from one extreme to the next based on the ebb and flow of financial, relational, professional circumstances.

That being said I think that three things seem necessary:
1. Remember that God is our Provider and not a bank, a government, or even ourselves.

2. Based on #1, Accept responsibility for wisely managing the resources God chooses to put in our hands.

3. Pray for God to give wisdom--and COURAGE--to those making decisions and policy that will ripple out to not only every single one of us, but also throughout the entire world.

But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today.
Deuteronomy 8:17-18

God is good. His throne is never threatened.