A must read: Crazy Love

Francis Chan is a Godly man. In Crazy Love he challenges, inspires, and educates. He is a great example of a life not wasted.

READ IT!!

God cannot be mocked.

Check out Francis Chan's message (Cornerstone Church, Simi Valley, cornerstonesimi.com) 5.18.08. Here's a summary:

"Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows." GALATIANS 6:7

We can lie to other people, we can even deceive ourselves. GOD, however, knows all. He will be neither deceived nor mocked.

We will stand before our Mighty Judge one day. Our hearts, our motives, our actions WILL BE REVEALED.

What are we doing with our lives? We can fool our family, we can fool our church, we can fool ourselves, but we cannot fool God.

Do our lives POINT to God? Do we live every day as if it's our last? Do we pursue pure motives and God-centered intentions?

Galatians 6:9 "Let us not become weary in doing good, for AT THE PROPER TIME we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

Either we pursue God things, or we pursue our things. There is no middle ground, no holding pattern. The opposite of sin is not not sinning. It's doing good.

Galatians 6:10 "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially those who belong to the family of believers."

Check out his message. You won't be disappointed.

Wow. I will be judged one day. May my life be a beautiful offering and a light for Jesus, for God will not be mocked. I will reap what I sow.

Paradigm Pleaser or Paradigm Changer?

Is it possible to alter a personal paradigm? Change the way something has always been done? Permanently shift someone's perspective? Is it too daunting a task?

The media shapes it. The culture adjusts to it.

Is the church capable of implementing a Jesus-shaped paradigm on a massive level?

If the answer is no, the church in America will continue at its current rate of decline until it's practically non-existent, and extremely non-effective.

Shouldn't a community look different because of God's church? Thus, a nation look different because of The Church?

Our God is an amazing God, and He will use willing vessels to be His hands and His feet to break down a deteriorating paradigm and re-build a Biblical one.

I am willing Lord, send me.

Hindurwa

Last night, the group Hindurwa performed at New Hope's First Wednesday service. These guys were awesome!! Their hearts just shined through their songs, their testimonies were a true representation of what Jesus can do with a life surrendered to him.

They are survivors of the 1994 Rwandan Genocide, left homeless and abandoned at very young ages. Sponsorship gave them new hope and a new life.

They began with a high energy performance with their drums that is typically reserved for ushering an earthly King or President. By the grace of God, they now drum for the King of Kings, and sing to the Lord of Lords. What a pleasure to be a part of such an amazing testimony.

God is doing great things in Rwanda. He is doing great things in Bend. When lives are fully devoted to Him, great things are inevitable.

recalibrating today.

When the stresses and strains of this life seem too much, I recalibrate back to Jesus. When the kids are grumpy and the house is messy, I recalibrate. When I'm out too late and up too early, I recalibrate. My God TAKES CARE OF ME!! But the best part is ... it's not about me. It's about Him. Less of me and more of Him!!

Off to Florida

Leaving the crazy monsters to my parents for 4 full days, we're flying out to a faraway land, where crocodiles run rampant, the humidity does ridiculous things to my hair, and the tea is entirely too sweet.

Off to Exponential ... a conference for church planters. We will be learning the ins and outs of planting, something that God has had on our hearts since we moved the Bend.

We're expecting our time to increase exponentially while we're there ... soaking in as much knowledge as we know how. Not to mention enjoying a little peace and quiet -- no fights to extinguish, whining to hear, and messes to clean. Makenna and Colton, I really do love you!!

Signing off.

High Heels, Happy Hearts & Waterfalls

My 3 year old daughter, Makenna, is a riot. A unique, one-of-a-kind riot. She sees the world in colorful rainbows and sweet jubilee. Her heels are referred to as nothing less than "high heels", all hearts are nothing short of "happy hearts", and drinking fountains spout "waterfalls" in her so imaginitive world. She sees images in the clouds and makes animals out of her sandwiches. She knew her colors by 18 months, and to this day refers to most objects first by their color. She finds laughter in most circumstances and love in most people. She's innocent, but worldly; trusting, but cautious. She takes risks when she knows the reward is great, and opens her "happy heart" to all who seek.

Makenna, you have beautiful high heels, a bright happy heart, and ... may I drink from your waterfall??