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Archive for the ‘Formation’ Category

Keep It Simple

Posted in Formation, Grace on August 12, 2010| Leave a Comment »

There is a quote (one of many around my office) that hangs above my desk by Charles Mingus and it says this:

Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that’s creativity.

As I sat in my prayer time this morning and reflecting on things, I noticed this quote.

Is this not true of our approach to Christian faith?  Have we not taken something beautifully simple and made it complicated?

When you think about the Christian faith, it really boils down to this: love God and love your neighbor.  That’s it.  We have built elaborate systems to help define what this means and how to do it, but the reality is – we have made it complicated.

Simplify your life today.  It’s easy to make things complicated.  It takes work to keep things simple.

Love God and love your neighbor.

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The Avalanche of Life

Posted in Formation, Grace, Hope on August 4, 2010| Leave a Comment »

On the way to the office this morning, I had the radio on (as usual) and heard a familiar song from @Manafest called Avalanche.  I had heard the song before, in fact, I have it on my iPod.  But for some reason, it struck a chord with me today.

The song speaks to a condition I am sure we can all relate to – that of being the prodigal child of God.  The words that caught my ear today were these, “Cause I’m the prodigal man of this avalanche, I’m going down, I’m going down, down.”

I suppose the reason these lines hit me is because I can relate them to times in my life when I have allowed my relationship with Jesus to stagnate and have felt the hopelessness of being all alone with little hope.

But the song moves the listener to hope with these lines, “Watched you chase a man down, watched you raise a man out, mercy on me, forever I’m free.”

I am reminded that regardless of how far I roam or wander, God actually pursues me and is there to offer mercy and grace and welcome me home into a renewed relationship.

Maybe today, things for you are great – your relationship with Jesus is just as it should be – if so, wonderful, file these thoughts for later use.

But perhaps today this song describes you.  Maybe today you feel caught in an avalanche of life, sliding farther away from where you want to be with little control or ability to stop it.  If that is you – take heart – Jesus wants to lift you out.

That is the wonder and beauty of mercy and grace.  It’s never too late to turn back to Jesus.

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A Little Slow Getting Started

Posted in Formation, Hope on August 2, 2010| Leave a Comment »

Do you ever have one of those days when it’s just hard to get going.  Maybe your tired or stressed, but for whatever reason, it’s just hard to get moving.  Today is one of those days for me.  We just got back from a week long vacation and you would think I would be rested and ready to go but I am dragging this morning.  Maybe you have those days too.

Here is what is helping me this morning – read this.

God has a plan!  I can have hope in knowing that today is going to be filled with God-given opportunities!  Wow!  That helps get me moving – even if it is slowly at first.

Seek God with your whole heart today – if you do, you will receive hope and a future, but most importantly, you will find God!

Be blessed!

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A Week Off

Posted in Formation, Hope on July 23, 2010| Leave a Comment »

I will be taking a week off from the blog this next week.  I will be in prayer for you throughout the week.  I ask that you pray for my family and me as we have some time to be together.  The primary need in our lives right now is refreshment and renewal.

I look forward to being back at the keyboard in a week and let you know about all the things God does this next week.

Be blessed!

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Living Spiritually

Posted in Formation on July 22, 2010| Leave a Comment »

I have the unbelievable opportunity this morning to speak before close to 100 Christian church administrators, executive pastors and CFO’s from churches all over the United States in a workshop at the NACBA conference in Orlando, Florida.  I humbly covet your prayers.

I am so excited to have the opportunity to talk about something I am extremely passionate about – spiritual progression.

The title for the talk is “The Spiritual Life of the Administrator.”  However, I am going to try and convince everyone that there should be no such thing as a “spiritual side” to anyone.  But rather, we should all seek to live spiritually instead.

How about you?  Is there a distinction between your spiritual life and your work life or your school life or your home life?

Jesus wants us to live life for him all the time in all forms – not just when we are at church.

Live spiritually today!

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Who Are You?

Posted in Formation on July 21, 2010| Leave a Comment »

I was sitting in a meeting yesterday in which the speaker asked the question, “Who are you?”

He then went on to suggest that some might answer that question by stating, “I am __________.”  (fill in your name)

Others might answer, “I am a __________.”  (fill in your occupation)

Or maybe, one might answer, “I am a  ____________.”  (fill in the state you are from)

Shouldn’t our answer be more in line with something like, “I am a follower of the Way – Jesus.”

The point is this: our identity is often wrapped up in many things and often the environment or situation may shape our identity.

Our true identity should be wrapped up solely in Jesus Christ.

What or who identifies you?

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What Does God Expect of Me?

Posted in Formation, Grace on July 20, 2010| 2 Comments »

In the book of Micah, we find an interesting portrayal of a mock trial (you can read the story here) in which God brings a case against the people of Israel.  It is a descriptive account of God standing to state the case before the mountains and hills.

God points out that the people of Israel have been protected and shown provision through many situations from the exodus event from Egypt to the freedom from slavery and yet they have forgotten all of God’s blessings.

The people are then allowed to reply.  The reply comes in the form of a frustrated series of questions:  “What do you want from us – our first born?”

God probably should have smitten the people then but that is not what happened.  Instead, God gave an answer that is just as applicable and important today as it was in the day of the writing of the book of Micah.  Verse 8 of Micah chapter 6 says this:  “He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?  To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

Act justly – handle yourself in such a way that you treat each person with whom you come in contact with respect and proper dignity.  This includes standing up for those who cannot stand up for themselves.

Love mercy – this may be more focused on the way we react to the way we are treated but also serves as a reminder to show others mercy.

Walk humbly with your God – a reminder that our lives are not our own.  This life is not about you or me, it is about pleasing God and working to further God’s plan and Kingdom.  Often, when we get caught up in serving God, piety can creep in and unchecked can turn to spiritual arrogance.  God says, “No!  Walk with me but do it in humility.”

Remember today, God’s expectations are really pretty simple – not easy – but simple.

Go out and act justly, love mercy and walk humbly today!

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I Don’t Recommend Gargling With Shampoo!

Posted in Formation, Hope on July 18, 2010| Leave a Comment »

Last night I had a very strange thing happen to me.  I have been battling strep throat since last Thursday.  I am on the downhill side, two shots and several pills later (thanks again Greg!).

As a result of the sore throat and the medication, I have some sores in my mouth as well.  I was getting ready for bed and after brushing my teeth, I decided I needed to rinse my mouth with mouthwash.  Key point to the story – I had already taken out my contact. I looked through my shaving kit and found some trial size bottles.  One said “Wash” in big letters and I could not make out the smaller ones.  I suppose my first clue should have been when I had to really squeeze to get the contents of the bottle to drop into my mouth.  Unfortunately for me, I had a mouthful before I realized it wasn’t mouthwash.

Yeah, in case you are wondering, shampoo is not a good substitute for mouthwash – I think I could still blow bubbles if I really tried.  All because I couldn’t see clearly.

How often are you caught off guard because of faulty vision or understanding?  The great thing is that as long as we take the time to spend in God’s word and in contemplating God’s leadership in our lives through prayer, we will have clear vision and solid understanding.

Take some time to work on your vision today – trust me, the alternative is not pleasant!

Be blessed today!

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Breathing Room for the Soul

Posted in Formation, Grace, Hope on July 13, 2010| Leave a Comment »

I don’t know about you but every once in a while I allow myself to become overwhelmed with all the things going on in my life – tasks at work, projects at home, car problems, etc.

It is easy to feel like I’m drowning.  This passage helped me today.  I encourage you to link to it and let it wash over you and fill your soul as it has done mine today.

If you need breathing room for your soul – let God be that for you today.

Have a blessed day.

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Three Things I Learned in Sunday School As a Child

Posted in Formation on July 8, 2010| Leave a Comment »

I was raised in a Christian home.  Our family was in church if the lights were on – Sunday morning, Sunday night, Monday nights, Wednesday nights – if there was something going on at the church, we were there.  Looking back on that experience, I so appreciate my parents for instilling in my brother and me the importance of the gathering of God’s people.

Of course we were involved in Sunday School (age graded small groups) in our church.  I am ashamed to say that I don’t remember all my teachers through the years, but I do know they impacted my life whether they knew it at the time or not.  Here are three things I learned as a child in Sunday School.

  1. God loves everyone unconditionally – that means that God loves even me, no matter what.  Whether I choose to follow after God or not, whether I choose to use my life in the betterment of humanity or only for selfish gain – no matter what – God loves me.
  2. God has a plan for each of us – even me.  Regardless of what we choose to do for a living, God has a plan for our lives.
  3. Mr. Fowler was right in my third grade Sunday School class when he said, “Brian, someday you are gonna be a preacher.”

What did you learn in Sunday School?

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