"Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocre minds. The latter cannot understand it when a [person] does not thoughtlessly submit to hereditary prejudices but honestly and courageously uses their intelligence.”
- Albert Einstein

It amazes me that we are so quick to dismiss someone because they think or act a little different. I say embrace the difference and use it for the benefit of mankind.

What do you think?

Epidemic:

1. A disease or anything resembling a disease; attacking or affecting many individuals in a community or a population simultaneously.

2. Anything which takes possession of the minds of people as an epidemic does of their bodies; as, an epidemic of terror.

“A majority of twenty-somethings - 61% of today’s young adults - had been churched at one point during their teen years but they are now spiritually disengaged (i.e., not actively attending church, reading the Bible, or praying). ….George Barna

What are your thoughts? Why is this happening? What can we do to turn this trend around?

Week of assessment

Last week Kerrey and I took a trip to Baltimore MD for a church planting assessment. It was one of the most stressful times in my life. Within in one week two guys look at you and let you know if you are fit for church planting. Granted they are not God, but they have been doing this a long time and have it down to a science. Day one started with a one half hour session with the psychologist asking for your life story. I will admit I was worried: from child abuse, to the two failed marriages, to the drug abuse I assumed that would knock me right out the running. The doc seemed interested, but never in a disqualifying way.

Day two we meet as a large group and begin the by breaking into groups, working on projects through-out the day. It was amazing to me how a group of strangers, that want to stick out, could work together in harmony to accomplish a goal; even if it was just a ten minute skit.

The rest of the week was more of the same. Through-out the day we worked on projects as teams, never joining back to the same people. At night we were given the larger projects, such as, creating a fictional church and putting together a worship service. Again with people you have only known for 24hrs.

From sleep deprivation to pushing the buttons, it drives on to ask if they are truly cut out to plant a church. By the end of the week you learn things about yourself and your spouse. I am pleased to say, my wife is my greatest support and partner in this journey of church planting.

Looking back over the week, I am excited to see the process has changed from welcoming everyone to setting standards, challenging those who believe they are supposed to be in ministry. It is a great responsibility and people deserve the best. If one week of stress can weed out the players from the called, then let it be.

Fear or Faith

Fear, that gripping feeling you get when you have no idea what is going on but you know it is going to be bad. The unkown, propbably the greatest fear of all. It is also the greatest point of faith. Look at it this way. You are standing in front of a door, you have no idea what is on the other side. You have two choices at that moment. One, fear; being afraid of what is on the other side. What could happen to you if you open the door. Or faith: with that same door you can trust God has something good in store for your life. Paul, said "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him"

Don't let the doors of life scare you away from the work God wants to do in your life.

Leadership

Every time I talk to someone about leadership the name Bill Hybells comes up. I love the guy and have read a list of his books. While getting ready to plant a new work it is my goal to achieve these five things.

He says: “Based on my three decades in ministry and many of my travels to churches around the world, I offer the following observations. I can honestly say that in every church I have seen prevail, I have witnessed leaders who have gotten good at these kinds of things.”

1. Keep the Vision Clear - Vision casting! It is absolutely critical toward helping a church reach its redemptive potential, and every leader has to learn how to do it.

2. Get People Engaged - Get people to serve in areas of ministry to fulfill the vision that God has given you. “I have never seen a church reach its full redemptive potential unless there were fired-up teams doing the work of God.” Volunteerism at its best!

3. Create Great Services - “I’ve never seen a church go from strength to strength and reach its full redemptive potential unless some team inside that church decided that their part of God’s vision was to put on really, really good services - the best they are capable of putting on.”

4. Raise Resources - “Stop being apologetic and realize that it takes money to launch visions. It takes money to feed the hungry and to resource the poor. it takes money to build a children’s ministry. It takes money to have a thriving student ministry in your church.”

5. Pace Yourself for the Long Haul - Self Leadership - “It’s the ability to overcome personal discouragement, to maintain sober-mindedness in crisis, to keep ego at bay at all times, and to stay focused on the life mission.” “Don’t allow yourself to go into peril because you didn’t take the time to regroup, recalibrate, take appropriate time off, retreat spiritually, and refresh your soul.”

Mistaken Identity

I read this and could not help but stop and ask the question, "am I that Christ like".

A few years ago a group of salesmen went to a regional sales
convention in Chicago . They had assured their wives that they would be
home in plenty of time for Friday night's dinner. In their rush, with
tickets and briefcases, one of these salesmen inadvertently kicked over
a table which held a display of apples. Apples flew everywhere Without
stopping or looking back, they all managed to reach the plane in time
for their nearly missed boarding.

ALL BUT ONE! He paused, took a deep breath, got in touch with his
feelings, and experienced a twinge of compassion for the girl whose
apple stand had been overturned.

He told his buddies to go on without him, waved good-bye, told one of
them to call his wife when they arrived at their home destination and
explain his taking a later flight. Then he returned to the terminal
where the apples were all over the terminal floor. He was glad he did.
The 16 year old girl was totally blind! She was softly crying, tears
running down her cheeks in frustration, and at the same time helplessly
groping for her spilled produce as the crowd swirled about her, no one
stopping and no one to care for her plight.

The salesman knelt on the floor with her, gathered up the apples, put
them back on the table and helped organize her display. As he did this,
he noticed that many of them had become battered and bruised; these he
set aside in another basket.

When he had finished, he pulled out his wallet and said to the girl,
"Here, please take this $40 for the damage we did. Are you okay?" She
nodded through her tears. He continued on with, "I hope we didn't spoil
your day too badly."

As the salesman started to walk away, the bewildered blind girl called
out to him, "Mister...." He paused and turned to look back into those
blind eyes. She continued, "Are you Jesus?"

He stopped in mid-stride, and he wondered. Then slowly he made his way
to catch the later flight with that question burning and bouncing about
in his soul: "Are you Jesus?"

What about you have you ever been mistaken for Jesus, do you have to tell people you are a Christ follower or do they know by watching you?

Football

It is hard to believe that so much money is spent on a game fought over a pigskin. What is our obsession with the sport. I will be honest with you I love it. I would spend all day Saturday watching college and then all day Sunday watching pro-football if my wife would let me. Thank God, she is there to balance me out. Is it the thrill of competition, the joy of cheering your team on. What is the allure of football. It is believing in the dream. Each team starts on even ground, all with the same goal in mind to win the BCS title or Superbowl. We buy into the dream as fans pulling for our favorite team as our cheers give them strength to go that extra yard. Same is true of life and the church. We share a common goal to see our friends, coworkers and relatives become connected to God. We cheer one another on at each step someone takes towards Christ. Then we celebrate that great victory when that person we have been talking to makes a decision to become a Christ follower. Our Superbowl. Our BCS title. Let me cheer you on today. Share with that person seating next to you at work or school keep being that light and salt. I believe in you. You can make a difference.

Thorn in my side

Paul tells a story in the bible about having a thorn in his side. He goes to God in prayer asking him to remove the thorn. Strangely, God tells him no. This has always bothered me. I have heard great men try to figure out what that thorn was but, there is no clear understanding. We all have a thorn in our lives. You know that thing that tries to suck you in and control your life. Some addiction or just some issue that you are facing. Paul said his thorn was, "To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surprisingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me." What if God removed the thorn? Would Paul have been the great missionary we know of today or a man full of pride and arrogance claiming all that took place was of his own hands? We all have a thorn in our lives. My challenge to you is this; don't ask God to remove the thorn but ask God to make you Strong IN HIM. "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Let me ask you, when do you find yourself seeking God the most, in times of trouble or times of peace? Don't despise the thorn.