The Invitation part 3- sermon notes

On our summer trip to the aquarium, I strongly encouraged my daughters to touch the stingrays in the pool. Carissa was very reluctant, so like any loving father, I "helped" her touch them. After she finished crying, she did eventually touch them willingly. I challenged her to get “uncomfortably close” and go beyond her comfort zone.

I have my own moments of getting uncomfortably close- when I went surfing near sea turtles, standing ready to bungee jump, tip-toeing to a very high cliff edge. All these experiences forced me to go beyond my comfort zone. The turtles got IN my personal space and I didn't like it. The heights were a "little too close".

The point: few experiences are worth resisting innate inhibitions and boundaries.

We spend most of life compartmentalized into convenient categories. These compartments allow us to keep things from spilling over into other areas, and keep people comfortably distant from our darkest secrets, deepest hurts.

However, there is a tension of keeping our personal space and boundaries. We develop compartments in life to protect ourselves, but struggle to balance compartments of life. That'w where spill over happens. You know, the frustrations at work that are carried home, the argument last night that we brought to work. Depleted checkbooks that rob our Christmas cheer. We try hard to guard our fragile compartments. To keep a avoid getting uncomfortably close to things that scare us or allowing the "unknown" into our personal space.

We do the same with God, keeping Him at a safe distance. We have a compartment for God- Sundays before noon, grace before diner, in moments of crisis, an occasional prayer after we hit a golf ball or while struck in traffic. God has His place in our life, church fits into our boundaries, where we keep things from getting too uncomfortably close.

We certainly don’t let Go IN our whole world, rock our status quo, or give him the keys to every door and closet in our home.

Read Luke 1:26-38, NIV. This event is known theologically as the “virgin birth”. It sounds so pious, sterile. But for Mary, God interrupted her normal? Disrupted her with an invitation to become uncomfortably close and intimate with the Christmas experience. Her life would be profoundly altered.

Mary sets amazing example and provides incredible challenge to us?

Big Idea: Allow Christ IN Every Part of Life

More than Christmas story. This is The Invitation of God to us. Mary is an example of how incredibly close Jesus wants to come to you.

While we have compartments, boundaries, and comfort zones. Mary story is the example.
What does God want in my life?

Read Luke 1:26, 34-35 again.

Lord was WITH Mary, but now He wanted to be IN Mary.

Throughout Old Testament, God was with lots of people.
God was with Adam and Eve, walking with them in the cool of the evening. God was with Abraham, even calling “friend”. God was with Moses and the children of Israel in the fire by night and cloud by day. They were confident that God was with them. Through Jesus, God was with the disciples- eating, sleeping, teaching. Immanuel “God WITH us”. (paraphrase of Max Lucado's: Next Door Savior, 2003, p. 91)

But know an invitation to be IN Mary- “Holy Spirit will come upon you” and “overshadow”
These words invoke a picture of enveloping, like Mt. Sinai enveloped in the cloud of God’s presence.

God invites us to tear down our inhibitions, step beyond our comfort zone, welcomes our intimacy, and gets close enough to be known, not just with us, but in us.

To his disciples, Christ declared, “I am in you” John 14:20 NCV.
Paul prayed, “that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith” Ephesians 3:17, NIV.
“Christ in you, the hope of glory” Colossians 1:27, NIV.
“Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them”1 John 3:24, NIV.
“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me” Revelation 3:20, NIV.

How does God come IN my life?

God enveloped Mary, and Mary’s common life was transformed. At first, only physically, hormonally, privately. But over time, the in-dwelling of God in her life transformed everything about Mary. It became obvious to everyone that God was IN her.

What part did Mary have in this conception and pregnancy? She willingly submitted.

See Luke 1:38, NIV. Mary made herself completely available to God. Much like the way a wife makes herself completely available to her husband.

We want to be in control, manage our compartments, but God simply invited Mary to allow Him into her life, beyond her inhibitions, comfort zone, status quo. Not just a part of her life, but ALL of her, IN her.

Transformed from just learning of God to intimately knowing God.
Mary intimately knew God- understood His will and willingly obeyed His plan for her life.

What’s our part? To make our life completely available to God and accept His invitation to dwell IN us, IN every intimate detail and compartment of our life.

We neither resist or assist. Mary couldn’t guide, advise, or assist God in the process. She didn’t volunteer for this role. She only responded willingly and completely, then offered herself in full service.

Are there areas in your life that you’ve tried to do God-size things on your own? Quit a life-controlling habit or addiction, overcome past hurts, forgive the abuser, heal the marriage, conquer a fear, defeat the worry? We can’t do it on our own.

We can only surrender, willingly allow Christ in every part of life.

Like Mary to be so pregnant with the life of Christ that He lives through us.

“I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” Galatians 2:20, NIV.

Out of the Mouth of Babes

Here's a "poem" that my daughter Rebecca wrote this morning about Christmas. Amazed at how well she can communicate what seems so hard for so many adults to comprehend.

Jesus is God's Gift to Us, by Rebecca Grach

Jesus is God's Gift to us,

He died on the cross

for our sins,

He is the reason we celebrate Christmas,

His death gave us Easter.

So thank God for sending his son,

and giving these two holidays to us.

Couldn't say it better myself. I have a feeling some day she'll be communicating the life-transforming message of Christ more powerfully than myself. My greatest dream come true. My deepest prayers revealed.

I take time nearly daily to pray over my girls that they will grow to love God, follow and serve Him, and that their life-destiny would dwarf my calling and ministry.

Best Sermon I've Ever Heard

My 8-year old daughter, Rebecca, led our church service at home yesterday. Let me set this up by giving you the background, but keep reading to hear one of the best devotions on the meaning of Christmas and salvation.

Since Lifehouse services were canceled due to inclement weather, we had a family worship time with both sets of grandparents, who were all snowbound in our townhouse. That devotion I prepped for everyone at LHE, we threw out the window when Rebecca was willing to lead the whole service.

Words can't describe my pride as I watched and experienced her lead us. She, with the help of her sisters, sang Joy to the World, Away in a manger, Jesus loves the little children, I have decided (all 5 verses), and Silent Night.

Then came the sermon. Rebecca and Carissa read from their children's story Bible and incredibly illustrated the Creation, using a flashlight as light, stuff animals to show when God made all different kinds of creatures, and so on. They even had an apple for when Eve ate from the "Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil". Rebecca explained that Jesus came to pay the price/ penalty for our sins and the sin of all mankind. And flip over to the Nativity stories in their Bible. More illustrations using our manger figurines. At this point, we were all enjoying the simple truths in the teaching. Then...

Rebecca wrapped up the illustrated sermon with this devotion:

The Recycled Life, by Rebecca Grach

Can you think of some things that get recycled? Paper, plastic, metal cans.

Our life is a lot like a piece of paper. It gets worn out, dirty, and messed up. It becomes useless and damaged. Sin destroys what used to be clean and perfect. Our soul is damaged, messed up, and destroyed.

God takes all our mess, trash, and He RECYCLES our life. Through His love and forgiveness, Jesus reaches into our life, makes everything perfect and new.

Do you need your life recycled? What is damaged, trashed, messed up that you need to allow God to completely remake and recycle? What is destroyed that only God can transformed into something new and beautiful?

BTW, we do have pictures which I'll post later. If I had a video camera, you'd all be in tears.

Devotion for your family while we're snowbound

Here are my notes to correspond to this devotion for your family. Enjoy!

Start with worship: sing some easy songs that you and your family will easily know. Focus on the words, and remember that the whole point is to give honor to God, not how good or bad you sound.
• Joy to the World
• Away in a manger
• Amazing Grace

Before reading: ask yourself or family:
Ask: what are the first things that come to mind when you think of Christmas?

Bible Reading: read the following passages. Consider having different family members take turns reading.
Read Luke 2:25-35, but here are the essential verses:
And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against 35 (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

Read Matthew 2:9-11,
When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Remember back to the answers you gave to the question above. Most images of Christmas are warm, romantic, joyful, touching, and possibly, we think of the manger scene under the Christmas tree.

Most of us don’t immediately think of death, the cross, and burial. But that’s what these passages speak of: Simeon foretold the piercing of Jesus and the Magi gave the gift of myrrh (a burial ointment foretelling Jesus’ death).

The key thought in these passages is that Christmas or the Nativity of Jesus is really about the amazing Invitation of God to introduce all mankind to Himself, and give Himself in death so that we could truly know God.

An amazing quote: The Son of God became the Son of Man so that the sons of man could become the sons of God.

Jesus was born to give His life for us, born to die.

“God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but have eternal life. 17 God did not send his Son into the world to judge the world guilty, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16-17, NCV.

This is the message of Christmas: God became a man like us, to rescue us from our guilt, pain, and condemnation, and to offer us a new life in Him forever.

Before continuing: ask yourself or family:
Ask: how do we receive gifts? How do we receive the gift that Jesus came to give?

Simply, by accepting His gift of life through Jesus Christ, who gave His life to purchase ours. The Son of God became the son of man so that the sons of man could become the sons of God.
To receive: accept in faith, believe in Jesus Christ, obey His teachings and Word.
If we lack, it’s because we have not received TODAY!

Ask: what do you need to receive from God today?
Are you having trouble holding a grudge?
Struggling with someone at work? Maybe even your spouse or other family member?
Does anger destroy your peace?
Do the smallest things set you off?

Before continuing: ask yourself or family:
Ask: what do you do with this gift now that you have received?

Jesus came to give. And the response of all who receive? Give what they’ve received away to others.
What do we do with this idea of Christmas? The generous gift-exchange of God, priming our souls with an abundant supply of forgiveness, hope, life, and love?
The challenge of Christ’s gift to us is that it’s not ours to keep. God’s abundant love, forgiveness, hope, purpose, and life are like water in a funnel, poured in to pour through to others. He gives so that we can be the instrument of giving to others.

Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give will never be thirsty. The water I give will become a spring of water gushing up inside that person, giving eternal life (The water I give will be an artesian spring within, gushing fountains of endless life, Msg).” John 4:13-14, NCV.

Don’t let it grow stagnate! Have you ever seen or smelled stagnated water?
Many peoples’ relationship with God is like that- stale or stagnate. They received at from God at one time, but it just sat there.
What causes stagnation? A source without an outlet. Water flows in, but doesn’t flow out. Because the water sits unused, bacteria and disease fester. Instead of becoming a nourishing fountain, it becomes a dangerous cesspool for the diseases of doubt, discouragement, disunity, frustration, and anger.
Like a stagnate pool of water, when God pours into our lives, but we don’t release the life of God into others, our faith grows stagnate and diseased.

Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “Life's most urgent question is: What are you doing for others?”
Albert Einstein said, “Only a life lived for others is worth living.”

Offer love, forgiveness, concede the right of way in life, be a word of encouragement. Let the life of God flow in you and through you to nourish the parched soul of those around you. Give what you receive!

Sermon brief from 12-13-09

A critical moment and turning point in my studies happened during a class in AP Biology while I was in 10th grade. I asked how it was theoretically possible for simple proteins to form from the necessary ingredients in "primordial soup", when every calculation clearly shows it's a mathematically impossibility. My teachers response went something like this,

"That's a good question that I don't have an answer for. However, there are really smart people who "discovered" the scientific facts behind evolution, so, even though I don't know the answer, I'm sure the answer is out there."

The response left me feeling dumber for having heard it, and from that point, I understood that I was in a faith-based class with people unwilling to even acknowledge difficult questions or address hard issues. Scientific method was chucked out the window and replaced with presuppositions established to "prove" an agenda rather than open-minded, honest research.
My experience in church wasn't much better. It was certainly no bastion of free-thinking, question probing, thought provoking research, and open debate. Like me, most people have felt like they have to check their brain at door of church, and accept an absent-minded religion, and journey into blind faith.

Unlike the pillars of great faith that I was following, I personally struggled with (and continue to struggle with) doubts and questions. I'm desperate to research, study, and prove whether my beliefs, presuppositions, and convictions are accurate and true.
Are we allowed to ask hard questions? Can we question, research, investigate what we believe, and then seek truth? Yet I felt like I couldn’t ask questions, and that questioning and researching means I lack faith.

Wrestle through questions. Questions force us to search out truth- wherever truth is found. Many people refuse to ask questions or allow us to doubt, but in turn rob us of opportunity to find truth, and establish our own deep convictions and life- transforming faith.

Read Matthew 2:1-2. Who were these Magi? Wise Men, Magi (Greek root ‘magic’), from the East (Arabia, Persia). Most likely a class of the Medes, scientists, portrayed as astrologers (studied the stars), and definitely not Jews or believers of the Messiah. Popularly held to be three (based on 3 gifts), and as kings in light of Isa. 60:3.

Imagine that? Unbelievers who study science, astronomy, and literature seeking "truth" and find Jesus/ God.

Read Matthew 2:3. King Herod responded to their search for truth with fear. His power would be challenged. Way of life threatened. Response to this Invitation from God to discover Jesus? Fight, resist, and destroy!

Read Matthew 2:4-6. Didn’t want to know Truth (the one with a capital T), but were content with knowledge, empty religion. Rather than accepting the Invitation to know God, they chose ignorance, lies, and false meaning. Those who should have known, Priests and teachers, didn’t know and weren’t looking.

Read Matthew 2:7-12. Magi questioned, searched, journeyed to accept the Invitation to find TRUTH, and they discovered THE Truth in Jesus!

God meticulously orchestrated, scripted every intimate and cosmic detail of The Invitation so that all men could meet Jesus and know Him personally in relationship.

What example and challenge do the Magi provide to us? Seek TRUTH

Christmas embodies The Invitation of God to seek truth, and when seeking truth we find truth, not in physics, chemistry, mircobiology, astronomy, even astrology or literature. All “ologies” are a branch of theology. All truths point to the ultimate Truth.

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6, NIV. (Bold and Italics mine)

How do you respond to the reality of TRUTH embodied in a child, revealing God among men, who came to be know personally by us?

• Like King Herod, do you resist and fight against Truth, because He doesn’t fit your agenda, and will remove you as king of your own life?
• Like the scribes and religious teachers, do you ignore Him, because He’s inconvenient, doesn’t match your perception of what Truth should be? Do you approach your studying to prove your hypothesis and advance your agenda, or open to what your study teaches you?

Read Matthew 2:1-2 again. The Magi studied, investigated, pursued truth, and when they discovered that Truth in the coming of the King, they chose to journey to find Him by following a star.

God took the time to script His coming, His Invitation with great detail, even in the stars. Astronomy pointed to the ultimate Star!

Their trip from Persia (or Arabia) would have taken 5-6 months.

How far will you go to accept God’s meticulous Invitation to meet Him?

Seeking Truth Leads to TRUE Worship

We all seek to "worship" something- superstars, models, money, job, possessions. It's part of our human nature? Read Matthew 2:10-11 again.

For the Magi, extensive research and study, a year’s journey through deserts and difficult terrain, to accept the Invitation to meet a pauper child in the home of a carpenter?

How long did they stay? Long enough to explain their purpose and give gifts?

Did they think it was worth it? They bowed down and worshiped him. Their seeking led them to TRUTH in Jesus. Seeking culminated in the ultimate understanding, discovery, and revelation.

Read John 4:23-36.

God seeks us as we seek truth. This woman intuitively knew that the Messiah would embody Truth, and that He would lead her to true worship. Jesus said that time has arrived.
We seek truth so that we can truly worship- God.

The more we seek truth, ask hard questions, research, examine, and investigate the greater our worship. Our view of God isn't diminished through questioning and studying, but magnified.

Deep research into examining the interworkings of our galaxy leads to a greater wonder of God!

The microscope doesn't negate God's handiwork, it reveals His perfection. Ophthalmology doesn't darken our eyes to see God, this science illuminates our eyes to the wonder of God.

TRUTH SEEKING LEADS TO TRUE WORSHIP! Ask away. Study, research, learn THEN worship the true God who meticulously crafts truth to lead us to the ultimate Truth found only in Jesus Christ.

Daddy Tips for Christmas

’Tis the season for Dad to drop the holiday ball, stress out as the money is being spent for presents, and miss yet another providential opportunity to lovingly lead his family.

This is a repost from Mark Driscoll's blog at Mars Hill Church. So good I had to pass it on.

So, this blog is intended to help dads not fall into the same old rut of holiday humdrum, sitting on the couch watching football and eating carbs, but rather intentionally plan out the upcoming holiday season. Our children grow quickly and if we miss the sacred moments God opens up for us to connect with and bless our families, everyone suffers and we set in motion generations of missed opportunity.

#1 – Dad needs a plan for the holidays to ensure his family is loved and memories are made. Dad, what’s your plan?

#2 – Dad needs to check the local guides for what’s going on to make fun holiday plans for the family. In Seattle it’s here.

#3 – Dad needs to carve out time for sacred events and experiences to build family traditions that are fun and point to Jesus. Dad, is your calendar ready for December?

#4 – Dad needs to not let the stress of the holidays, including money, cause him to be grumpy with Mom or the kids. Dad, how’s your joy?

#5 – Dad needs to give experiences and not just gifts. Dad, what special memories can you make this holiday season?

#6 – Dad needs to manage the extended family and friends during the holidays. Dad, who or what do you need to say “no” to?

#7 – Dad needs to ensure his family is giving generously during the holidays. Dad, who in need is your family going to adopt and bless?

#8 – Dad needs to schedule a big Christmas daddy date with his daughter. Dad, what’s your big plan for the fancy daddy date?

#9 – Dad needs to schedule guy time with his son. Dad, what are you and your son going to do that is active, outdoors, and fun?

#10 – Dad needs to help Mom get the house decorated. Dad, are you really a big help to Mom with getting things ready?

#11 – Dad needs to ensure some holiday smells and sounds. Dad, is Christmas music on the iPod, is the tree up, and can you smell cookies and cider in your house?

#12 – Dad needs to snuggle up and watch some fun shows with the kids, especially the little ones. Dad, is the DVR set?

#13 – Dad needs to take the family on a drive to see Christmas lights while listening to music and sipping cider. Dad, is it mapped out?

#14 – Dad needs to help Mom get the kids’ rooms decorated. Dad, do the little kids get lights or a small tree in their room?

#15 – Dad needs to read about Jesus and pray over his kids. Dad, how’s your pastoral work going with each of your kids?

#16 – Dad needs to repent of being lazy, selfish, grumpy, or just dumping the holidays on Mom. Dad, are you a servant like Jesus to your family?

Big Announcement- We're going to 2 Services

Excited to announce that Lifehouse will have 2 Sunday services starting on January 10th. Here's some important info you'll want and need to know about the WHY's and WHAT's of this transition to 2 services.

First, the WHY's:

• So grateful that so many guests and regular Lifehousers show up every weekend. We've been averaging about 485 people per Sunday, and that means we're running out of seats.
• To reach more guests, we need more chairs. By adding a 2nd service, we double our seating capacity. This gives us more space to reach more people with whom we can share the amazing message of the gospel. And that is our ultimate Cause- to share and show our world the gospel of Jesus!
• More options: for more people to attend (can pick time that works best for them), and allow people who couldn't come before, to now join us!
• More opportunities to serve: some people don't want to serve in ministry during the service, because they don't want to miss it (we totally understand!). This way, everyone can participate in one service and serve in the other, and always get to participate in a service.
• INVITE YOUR FRIENDS. Our main purpose is to give us room to reach more unchurched and de-churched people. God loves everyone you know, and He wants them to discover the abundant life and salvation through Jesus. Invite them to join us during one of our services.

Now, the WHAT's:

• Times: 1st service- 9-10:10am; 2nd service- 10:30-11:40am.
• Café- 8:30-9am & 10-10:30. We want to continue providing coffee and light breakfast foods for both services, but don't want to wear our team out, so we're limiting this to 1/2 hour time slots and limiting what will be served. So, if you want coffee and breakfast get there early and say lots of THANK YOU's to the Café Team!
• Children's ministries: will be available during BOTH services. Additionally, for children that will be in both services (since many parents will be serving during one services), there will be Kidz Life Groups (discipleship classes) available during the 9am service.
• Sunday morning Life groups: we do offer adult life groups at 9am currently. We will offer life groups during both services. So, you can participate in one service, attend a life group in the other. Most life groups are available during the week in homes, but Sunday morning groups are available for those who need childcare and are only available on Sundays.

Addressing a few concerns/ questions you might have:

• Won't 2 services mean it will feel like their are 2 churches? Service styles will be the same, including sermons. We will be giving our best to both services, so quality and experience will be very similar. Primary difference will be time.
• Won't I feel disconnected from people in the other service? Great question! Yes, but do you feel connected with everyone in our service right now? Probably not. Why? If any church has over 40 people attending, it's impossible to be intimately connected with everyone. Additionally, Sunday services are NOT designed to help people feel more connected to each other, that's what life groups and ministry groups are for. We passionately believe in relationships. To get more connected to a small group of people, so that you feel like you're part of the Lifehouse "family of friends", join a ministry and a life group. Trust me, those small groups are the best place to find friends and feel connected NOT MATTER how many people Lifehouse continues to reach on Sunday mornings.

How can YOU help? Thought you'd never ask! Between Now and Jan 10th, we'll be asking you to commit to the following:

• which service will you be participating in: 9 or 10:30?
• which service will you be serving in: 9 or 10:30?
• which ministry will you be serving in: see our website for more details or sign up next Sunday?

Hope this helps provided so much needed information.

Please PRAY for God's favor during this transition and that we would continue to REACH many unchurched and de-churched people with the message of Jesus' salvation.

Living and leading on principle- part 2

Ever had a season when you are RE-facing an issue or situation you thought you had already dealt with or gotten victory over or passed that test? You're dealing with a pattern in your life, a mental block, or chronic emotional battle.

So, did David, and it's a great account of living/ leading on principle rather than on methods.

Some background: David had recently become king over all Israel, and the Philistines come to pick a fight and whip David out (ever felt like that?). While David is camped out in his "stronghold" seeking God, his enemies are gathering in the Valley of Rephaim (known as Valley of Giants. Hmm, that sounds familiar). Read 2 Samuel 5:17-20. God tells him to lead his army against them, and when David does, there is a great victory. So far so good...

Then, just win David is feeling good about his victory, the Philistines gather back up in Valley of Rephaim again. Same place, same enemy!

What would you be thinking? what would you do? David could have thought, "ok, been here before. Must have not been as big a victory as I initially thought. Well, God told me to go fight them before, guess I'll go fight them again. Pretty sure if it brought us victory the first time, it'll work again this time."

Did you see it? Methods are developed from past victories, either our own or someone that we're familiar with.

But that's not what David did. Instead, verse 23 says, "David inquired of the LORD". Read the rest of 2 Samuel 5:22-25. But this time, God gave David a different strategy- to have his army surround them from the back on the hillside where the Mulberry trees are, and then wait to hear the stirring in the trees. Once David heard the stirring, then he was to attack the Philistines. David follow the strategy precisely, and there he defeated the Philistines again.

What's the point? The strategy isn't what worked. Strategies must change. David had to first pray and inquire of God, then follow His plans and strategies. The previous strategy wouldn't have led to victory but destruction.

Just because David was facing the same enemy in the same place didn't mean he had failed, God was just testing him to see if he would seek God or default to some prescribed strategy, then write a book called "How to defeat the Philistines in 5 Simple Steps". No, David had to listen and obey. The only explanation for both victories was GOD!

How to stay the course and NOT give up

I'm fired up! If you know me or have ever gotten an email from me- you've heard this. If you know me well, you know it's true, almost all the time. It's not an act.

So, here's how I stay so committed (with passion) to the course of ministry, responsibility, and to my community? Here's my response:

CALLING:

• A certainty that I am doing what God destined for me to do, specifically in planting Lifehouse and in raising up other church planters. Very little else fuels me for long except the confidence I have that God called me to do this- He choose me, I didn’t choose Him.
• Constant reminder from passages of Scripture that have gripped me from the beginning of my call (Jeremiah 1:4-10; Joshua 1:1-11 and 3:1-6).
• Vision is a picture of the “preferred future” (Leading at a Higher Level). I can close my eyes and see, at least generally, what my purpose is, even several years down the road. I know for a fact that I’m still on the front end of completing the work that God has called me to. Since I know this is the beginning, I’m resolute in finishing. My dream is to lead a Kingdom-impacting church for a long time (LHE) and through Lifehouse, develop as many church planters as possible then send them out to plant as many churches as possible.

FOCUS: this encompasses 2 critical areas:

• Giftedness: staying narrowed in my unique destiny, temperament, and calling. I realize that I’m not that good at a lot of things, but extremely gifted in a few areas. So, I leverage the areas I’m strong in, do those better, and keep developing/ releasing/ coaching other leaders to do everything else! This is huge! When I’m busy doing what I’m not gifted at or passionate about, I feel de-motivated, uninspired, and I won’t stay the course.
• Eternal perspective: the Cause of Christ grips me so completely and passionately that I can’t help but recklessly abandon myself to His purposes for my life, regardless of the cost, sacrifice, or hard work. My prayer everyday,

“Oh Lord, may what I do TODAY matter for ETERNITY so that the population of heaven will increase because I got out of bed this morning!”

• This isn’t always easy, that’s why I need prayer time and devotions- to keep me focused and centered on the WHY.

DREAM TEAM: having highly committed leaders around me has been one of my greatest strengths.

• This requires lots of invest of time, conflict resolution, prayer, and high level of faith in people, and a critically important ability to see the potential in others and to invite them to leverage their potential in God’s Church. I have a passion to see people WIN and excitedly BELIEVE in them more than they believe in themselves.
• Read “Building a Dream Team” in Courageous Leadership, by Bill Hybels. When other high level people join you, it’s emboldening and empowering. When they sacrifice alongside of you, it makes you believe in the Cause even more, and you recognize that the Cause is bigger than you.

PRAYER: I know it sounds obvious, but I’ve bathed every step of ministry and life in prayer, and especially in seasons of fasting. When you know your walking in devotion to God, hearing from Him, and radically living His purposes- you can’t quit!

Living and leading on principle- part 1

People want to copy or replicate what works, whether in business, ministry, marriage, parenting, or any other life- pursuit. That's why their are how-to books that top the best-seller lists week after week. We all want the techniques and methods on how to get rich, parent an all-star, or lead a community-impacting church.

But does replication and duplication really work? Can I copy your methods and reasonably expect to get the same results?

The answer is emphatically NO! Now, don't panic, it's not that you should throw away every book, stop reading this blog, and ignore every teacher. It's just that we can't COPY or duplicate a method and expect the same results as our method trend-setter.

Most books and methodologies get established, because someone experimented, diligently worked, prayed, re-tried, failed, cried, fasted, struggled THEN experience, over time, what we call "success". Then, they write a book , teach a class or seminar EXPLAINING the techniques that took them a lifetime of process and brokenness to uncover and live.

It's NOT the techniques that produce the results we all desire, it's the process of living by God-ordained principles.

DON'T look for the techniques or methods to effectiveness. That will only lead you to unhealthy comparisons and frustration.

DO study the principles that underlined another person's effectiveness, and follow their example. Jesus lived a principled life and taught us His WAY! He did not offer us a bunch of methods. When we lived on principle, methods will come and go, but we will live solid on TRUTH!