Zoey Noelle's Gotcha Day!

church and the city

I'm teaching a class on 1 Corinthians this fall @ Island ECC. I love this letter to the church because it reminds me how much we need God, more than anything else -- God's presence in our lives is the point. The church at Corinth got sidetracked by the myriad of distractions around them and within them. It's great to plant churches in cities, but it's critical to know how to live redemptive lives within the city. On a lot of days, that's easier said than done - especially when Christ-followers take their eyes off of Christ.

The moment from yesterday that stands out most clearly to me is this: "For the foolishness of God is wiser than mans' wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength... God chose the foolish things... the weak things... the lowly things... and the despised things so that no one may boast before him. It is BECAUSE OF HIM that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us the wisdom of God -- that is our righteousness, holiness, and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: " Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord." 1 Corinthians 1:25-31

My thoughts on "the weakness of God" stop at the cross. The power of the cross stands alone. It doesn't need words of human wisdom. For those who believe - it is the power of God.

yes. again.

"A man can be understood by knowing the questions that burn hotly within him. For many men, one question stands out among others as the one that matters most: “What should I do?” When men feel their deepest agony, that is the question they ask.

When a man finds himself in a place where that question cannot be answered, he moves to a place where it can. When he looks around and realizes he has wandered into a confusing situation where courage and creativity are required, he finds a way to return to the sphere of management, to some activity or responsibility where his skill and know-how are useful, where his inadequacy and fear will not be exposed, where the courage to live in an unpredictable world is not required; in short, he retreats to where he can find an answer to his burning question.

When a man flees the terror of mystery for the comforts of management, he compromises himself. A man ruled by the demand that he always know what to do cannot experience the deep joys of manhood. He has violated his calling and betrayed his nature.

God calls a man to speak into darkness, to remember who God is and what he has revealed about life, and – with that memory uppermost in his mind – to move into his relationships and responsibilities with the imaginative strength of Christ.

God is telling a story, a story full of life, love, and grace, a story of hating evil and honoring good, a story rich in drama, poetry, and passion. As we see his story told through our lives, we find the courage to handle the inevitable confusion of life. We find the strength to move ahead, to take risks, to relate deeply, because we are caught up in the larger story of God.

God calls us to move beyond the silence of Adam. We are to abandon ourselves to God with absolute confidence in his goodness; and with the freedom created by that confidence, we are to move into the depths of dangerous uncertainty with a life-giving word. That kind of movement might be something as simple as encouraging a child by giving extra attention, or something as terrifying as giving your heart where it may not be wanted.

But that is where the rub is in moving beyond Adam’s silence: we experience fear. A commitment to manly movement creates healthy fear. We realize there is no code to follow in the arenas we determine to enter. But it also creates a sense of anticipation. As we resolve to speak in darkness, God give courage: not the sort that stills trembling legs but the kind that helps us move forward on them.

It’s an interesting progression. When men move forward in faith, they more deeply realize their need of God, and therefore more earnestly seek him. And when we seek him with all our hearts, we find him. That’s the promise.

Men who spend their lives finding God are quietly transformed from mere men into elders: godly men who know what it means to trust a person when there is no plan to follow; spiritual fathers who enter dark caves that their children run from; Christlike mentors who speak into that darkness with strength instead of control, with gentleness instead of destructive force, and with wisdom that cuts through the confusion to the beauty beyond.

The path to authentic manhood is entered through the narrow gate of single-minded passion to abandon oneself completely to God. The path beyond the gate is the freedom to speak into darkness as one hears and echoes the voice of a well-remembered God."  The Silence of Adam – Larry Crabb

You ever read something, and it just leaps off the page as true? Here it is for me today. Encouraging. Challenging. Humbling. Thank you April for always being a consistent voice of God's "better word" for me. Yes.

the next few.

We're here. The annual season of slightly slowing down to be with friends and family, and more importantly remember that heaven invaded earth some 2000 years ago. Really, that is pretty amazing. And, really, that is the understatement of all time. 

Nonetheless, I find myself with not much to say. April thinks its normal. I think I need some time to think, about that being normal, and really what life looks like between now and moving to Hong Kong. I know the basics, preparing a team, raising needed funds, and being a father and a husband. But, as my wife has kindly reminded me, I am entering into a new season, one where I do not have / nor cannot enjoy a weekly speaking engagement. Interesting. No doubt, the time spent preparing for encounter, and the life-changing moments that have added up to 7 years is hard to put into words.

Yes, for sure, I already miss it. Seeing Jake, Paul, and Dave playing tonight with Martha's Trouble was great. But, really, if I'm honest. I miss those guys. I miss the ridiculously late nights in the AUMC parking lot, watching Paul climb the light poles, dreaming about the future, like church planting in Auburn. What?!?! -- We came closer to that than many people may think. I think to be able to look back and see all that God has done, and all that God in His mercy and wisdom, has NOT allowed to happen, is really encouraging. 

The bottom line: Life is changing for me personally. I'm not really sure anyone could have prepped me for this little season. There is a certain undefined emptiness in my heart. But even as I write this, my eyes are burning because I haven't taken my contacts out, and its really late, and I am really thankful for that bit of emptiness, because it is pushing me towards Him. The vision He's placed in me, to see HK students united in Him, is certainly worth a season of not knowing much, for His namesake. 

Jesus? Unchanging. Eternal.

Marriage? Stable. She is the best. Ever. 

Parenthood? Steady as we go. I love these little people.

Family? Supporting and great. So thankful.

Friendship? Yep. Still there.

Me? In process. 

So, my simple prayer during these next few weeks is to be intentional with the God who knows me and cares for me, more than anyone else. It is only from the fullness of relationship I have with Him, that anything else looking like love and peace can flow. I'm trusting Him for that. 

a story worth telling - part 4.

For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 

When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Colossians 3:3-4

a story worth telling - part 3

So, after hearing Josh share his desire to pray because  he believes, we all sit around this little beat-up coffee table that has been in our family for 30 years. Josh wants April to pray first, so she prays, then he prays, and then I pray. 

I cannot tell you how precious his words are to me, but I can say that I am convinced  his sincerity and genuine interest in the things of God, most importantly, the work of Jesus Christ, is true. We may plant and water, but God is the one who grows. 

The ongoing work of God rescuing human hearts is evident in our oldest son's life. Later that night, he wanted me to read the whole thing all over again. We decided we would try to read a little bit every day. So he slept with this new favorite book at the edge of his bed. The next day, he's reading it again, and insisted he bring it in the car. It is a reminder to me every time he asks me to read to him, that God always and forever more committed to us than we could ever be to Him. 

So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Cor 5:16-21

a story worth telling - part 2

The living, the living—they praise You, as I am doing today; 

fathers tell their children about Your faithfulness.  

Isa 38:19

So, the other day, April and I took the boys to Monkey Joes for a little time away from home. It's one of their favorite places to run around and play. While out that day, April had found the Jesus Story Book Bible. For a few weeks, Josh had been asking me about "his" bible. We were excited to get this for him.

So after an afternoon of playing, we get back home. Caleb and I are in the kitchen making casseroles for Thanksgiving. He and I are having a blast in there. Meanwhile, Josh and April are on the couch. They sat there from 4:30-7:00pm. I know what you are thinking, me too... that's a long time. Movies don't last that long. Certainly, the attention span of a 5 year old is not that long. However, Josh was so interested, enthralled might be a better word, with the story of Rescue. 

What I love about this little Bible is that it reminds anyone reading of the consistent theme of redemption, of God's relentless pursuit of people, and how all things point to Christ. To have such a Christ-centered understanding of the Bible at an early age -- everything else in the Bible makes sense if you understand the main point: Jesus - who was, and is, and is to come. 

April read him his new Bible from cover-to-cover, at Josh's persistent request. After hearing it, he simply said:

"I believe in Jesus and I want to pray".

a story worth telling - part 1.

Being a parent is the most rewarding and most difficult thing I have ever done. Rewarding because you see the fragility of life, you know firsthand the power of love, you re-experience the gospel all over again from the Father's perspective, you are in the front-row seat of these precious little lives, and to see them grow as people - is awe inspiring. 

Difficult, because you are all-the-more-aware of your own sinfulness, selfishness, and weaknesses. Because love compels us, "difficult" means dying to self and consistently putting other needs before your own. Parenthood can be really painful as well, because when they hurt, you hurt. Hands down, the past five years of parenthood have been some of the most intense seasons of learning how to be more patient, more loving, more compassionate, more consistent, more... like a reflection of God's love. 

Truth be told, it's tough to remember there is only one perfect Parent. So, when I do reach the end of my strength, mercy, patience, interest, love, etc -- There is always One who never does. Because He is alive in me -- then I must be quick to share with my children the life-changing reality of God's perfect love. 

grace for glory.

It is surreal to think encounter will be ending in a few weeks. For about 7 years, my weeks have revolved around thursday nights. The community known as grace campus, has been meeting on thursdays nights around 8:30 since 2002. The journey has been amazing. What began as the worship overflow of several small groups is now approaching a significant turning point in its history.

I can remember the first night at encounter. We met in Langdon Hall on Auburn's campus. Around 60 people were there. I remember being scared and nervous. I remember the message I spoke on about grace. I remember breathing deeply and diving in to what would be some of the most amazing memories of my life so far. I remember setting up for that night, how much trash was in the room, and how the group of us there didn't care, we just wanted encounter to be as good as it could be. Serving together towards a goal greater than ourselves was enough to keep us focused on Him. 

Turns out, things like production, excellence, planning, etc -- aren't prerequisite for God to move. It was rough in many ways -- but the heart of it all shined through. In simple terms, we wanted to invite people to worship God for who He is and what He has done on behalf for those who believe. 

Grace for glory.

The journey from Langdon Hall, to the Auburn University Chapel, to the AUMC Youth Room, to the AUMC Epworth Center, to the AUMC Sanctuary, to Lakeview Baptist, and finally back on campus in the Auburn University Student Center is one I will carry in my heart forever. In so many ways, I see these years as a gift, for me to experience God in ways I never could have imagined. 

To think about how many lives have walked through the doors, each one with the potential to change the world in the name of Jesus, to think about how many holy moments have occurred that no one will ever know about, to think about those who have listened in via podcasts, to wonder how many prayers of confession and adoration have been expressed, how many anthems and hymns of praise have been raised to our Father, to think about the people in countries around the world who are different because someone from the grace campus community touched their lives, these priceless memories live on in the unending story of God.

I want to thank everyone who has been a part of the journey so far, for those who have given financially, prayed faithfully, served selflessly, participated consistently, volunteered tirelessly, and for those of you found a community here at Auburn in grace campus, thank you. 

As I prepare for one of the most unpredicted messages in my life thursday night, I am filled with joy at the thought of being able to look back, and really see what God has done. The greatest part of it, is that we can't even calculate what God has been orchestrating through this little community of faith in Auburn. To think He would call some of us, to leave here, and go to Hong Kong, and serve there? Wow. To think that many more will remain here, and in time, leave Auburn for wherever is next, I pray each of you will give your lives for the namesake of Jesus, saying yes to Him... wherever that leads. 

Say yes. 

stop. rewind. live. again.

Well, it's that time of year again. The semester is winding down, the weather is changing, and generally speaking, people are growing weary. I'm not sure what it is, other than the thought of if we can "just make it to Thanksgiving" or "just get through the semester" --- Yep. Me too. It's not to say I don't love my job, or life as a family. I do. I've caught myself thinking that though.

The all-too-familiar-get-by-mentality. DANGEROUS. But I don't have to convince anyone else, what crazy schedules do to people: EXHAUSTION. Too busy to be stiil. Too busy to slow down, enjoy people, enjoy God, or whatever else.

I remember reading Mark Buchanan's book The Rest of God, which was life-changing.April and I both are different people from that book. Seriously. If you are busy, and approaching burnout - stop. Get the book.

Here's why I can say that I am different, when I begin to approach burnout, I remember there is a different way to live, a much different way to experience life. I know the difference between leftovers and abundance.

Same responsibilities. Same work load. Same burdens. Same situations.
A VERY different perspective. Life vs. craziness.

In repentance and rest is your salvation -- in quietness and trust is your strength. ISA 30:15

Less of me, more of Him.
Less of my own thoughts, more of truth and grace.
Less of my own strength, more from His life in me.
Less of my own agenda, more of responding to Him.

shine - part 2.

... as you hold fast to the word of life..." Phil 2:16a.

Last week at encounter,we talked about what it means for us to work out our salvation, living it out, with fear and trembling, because it is HIS life in us, causing us to will and to work for His purpose. 

What does it look like for followers of Christ to shine His light?

Tonight, a very simple thought: hold fast to the word of life - hold out the word of life.

Word of Life? Jesus. He is whom we cling to. He is the One we share.  

I do not know this family, but they shine the light of Christ so clearly. 

FIDELITY.

This weekend, I spoke at our church on the issue of fidelity in marriage. Husbands and wives enter into a covenant relationship with God, to express to one another and to a watching world, a picture of "... as Christ loved the Church." For me, to see that God has expressed His highest value through Jesus: Redemption of man for the Glory of God --- and that I can display (imperfectly, but faithfully) that love of God (as Christ loved the Church) in the way that I love my wife... wow. Glory to Him on the days I obey. Grace from Him in the moments where I fail. When the highest purpose of marriage becomes wrapped up in a spouse .... then the gift of marriage has been hijacked. The HIGHEST purpose of a Christ-following husband and Christ-following wife in marriage is to put on display "as Christ loved the Church" and "as to the Lord". See Ephesians 5. Still thinking a lot. 

kneeling in the new normal

It's late. I'm tired, but this simple thought is worth saying. The difference between a good day and a really awful, stressful, burdensome, take-me-out kinda day has been this: prayer. Not the kind of prayer we toss up flippantly before meals, but the kind of prayer that after a meeting, or during a meeting, or before a meeting, or in spite of a meeting we are aware that He's the only answer. I say this (to the 2 or 3 normal readers here) to say, I'm re-learning a great lesson in leadership (that I knew, but I'm coming to KNOW again), pray: Pray as I am burdened. Pray before I am stressed out, taken out. Pray when I become aware of someone's need. Pray when I am clueless. Pray when I need wisdom. Pray when someone shares a their pain. Pray, as though, God really hears our prayers, really cares for our concerns, and really honors the prayers of righteous ones. 

Seems obvious, but the obvious is often passed over in busyness, pride, or unbelief. 

Photos courtesy of www.auburnimages.com

the new normal in black and white.

The new normal is good. Really good. I've been reflecting more on "just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him" and another part of new life is the idea of delight. Eye to eye, little moments where you are quiet enough to hear someone else breathing, content enough to simply be there, and really just be... there. 

"Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you to desires of your heart." Ps 37:4 

my new normal.

Before, I was dead in my transgressions. Estranged from God. Alienated. 

Now, I have been rescued, redeemed, adopted into the family of God. 

Before, I was powerless to choose righteousness, enslaved to sin, consumed by my flesh.

Now, I have Christ in me, living in me, being my strength, enslaved to righteousness, and my flesh has been crucified. I am dead to sin. Alive to God. Sin lives in me. Wages war in me. 

But it is not me. I am His and He is my Father, my God, my Sustainer. 

The new normal for us as a family, means less sleep these days, lots of dirty little diapers, different schedules,more flexibility with each other, more intentionality with all three children and each other, more responsibility.

Life is different now. This is our new normal. 

Normal life this week is looking different than last week's normal life. 

Before Christ, the normal was death, sin, struggle. Normal. Expected. Now in Christ, the normal for every believer has to begin with living FROM a relationship with Christ, THROUGH daily dependence on Christ, for the glory (recognition, amplification, exaltation) of Christ. 

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live (your new normal) in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Colossians 2:3-7

My new normal is to walk in hope, to love with His love, to choose right with His strength, to resist my sinfulness by His grace, and to / live / walk / act / love / think in terms of who I am in Him (my new normal). 

awaken me

First times are always interesting in a new room with new people, but tonight was incredible. What a great opportunity to aim our hearts towards God, and remember our souls are restless until they find their rest in Him. Thanks to Jason Morant and Daniel Bashta for leading us so well last night. The GraceCampus staff and volunteers did an outstanding job serving the students. 

tuning in.

There are seasons in life where the stakes seem higher and the call to trust God seems more pressing. On some days, it is far easier to trust my eternity (forever and ever and ever and ever) to God than it is to trust Him for today.  

I believe one reason why is because in the moment I fail to believe Him for who He is and what He has promised us in Christ. Confidence in God. Real trust in Him -- is my responsive choice, it is what I can bring as an offering. 

Childlike faith meeting the human condition - sometimes gets messy. Just like the wisdom of the world/american dream can square off against the ways of the kingdom/wisdom of God like a heavyweight UFC match. 

Good thing I know there is only one winner. Good thing His ways are NOT LIKE my ways, or yours. 

I am really asking the question, what does it mean to fix my eyes on Jesus as the author and perfecter of my faith --- in all things, like when I'm in the pool with my children, or when I'm in the grocery store, or when I'm emptying the dishwasher with April or when I'm really tired at the end of a long day. 

Why is it that under the pressure of not meeting other people's expectations for us I shift my gaze from Him to them? Yikes. It's my sinful default mode of choosing to live like there is no God, choosing to engage life from the temporal rather than eternal. 

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; YOU ARE MINE." Isa 43:1

This blog post will serve to remind me that in all the questions, choices, dreams, and convictions we are wrestling with now --- will be much clearer. I desire to live with expectant confidence in Him -- believing He exists and rewards those who seek Him. 

"I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them, I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are things I will do, I will not forsake them."

 Isa 42:16

I am writing this post in a hotel lobby in Alpharetta, GA. April and the boys (all three) are having nap time, and I'm tuning in for a wedding ceremony for dear friends a couple hours from now. Today, we woke up and went to the pool, spent time with our auburn family, went to Chic-Fil-A. Then the boys watched a Kermit movie while April and I spent time further processing where we are sense God's leading in our lives. Let me say - my wife is amazing. Her insight is like no other - so thankful for her. 

yes. I do.

So - I just need to say, these two bring me great joy. So much of how I relate to our Father - is shaped by either my imperfections (in light of His perfection) or my inexpressible love for them (in light of His love for me) - and as I have enjoyed fathering these two boys this week, I am reminded what a privilege, blessing, and honor it is to be their father. 

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us - that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! 1 John 3:1

more than acknowledgments

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Cor 4:16

And without faith, it is impossible to please God because anyone who comes to him must believe he exists, and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6

For many years of my life, my "faith" rested on what was seen, on information, and feelings. The turning point came when by grace my eyes were closed, and the eyes of my heart were opened (Eph1:17-23) to move beyond acknowledgments about God. I think about the difference between Josh and Caleb saying what I already know to be true (like - Yes, you are our father.) and what is happens because of them knowing the truth (like - yes, you are our dad, and all we want to do is what you are doing. You love us and we love you. Can we wrestle? ) 

This morning, I was leaving for work, and the boys were watching The Wonder Pets. We normally don't allow them to watch tv in the morning, but today was an exception. I was telling them goodbye, but truth be told, I was in their way... of the tv. All I got, was an acknowledgment... a courtesy nod, and then back to tv. 

I've been thinking about how often I give Him a courtesy nod. Hey God... and then move on with my day. But that verse in Hebrews 11:6 is getting to me. More than belief, He also wants me to treasure Him, confidently believing He is the best of everything I could ever know or experience. 

Most days, Josh and Caleb are passionately in pursuit of me, doing anything and everything they can to be with me, play with me, go with me, be around me, enjoy me ... to the point, where I (as a mere human father) reach my end. By the end of most days, I have given my everything (and loved it) and I'm on E. A good nights sleep, and I'll start all over again... 

But the point - The One who has redeemed me never grows tired, never reaches E, never has to dig deep and find more life - HE is LIFE, and He promises to reward me when I earnestly seek Him. So, for today, I am earnestly trying to fix my eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of my faith. 

islands wait expectantly.

Take a good look at my servant. I'm backing him to the hilt. He's the one I chose, and I couldn't be more pleased with him. I've bathed him with my Spirit, my life. He'll set everything right among the nations. He won't call attention to what he does with loud speeches or gaudy parades. He won't brush aside the bruised and the hurt and he won't disregard the small and insignificant, but he'll steadily and firmly set things right. He won't tire out and quit. He won't be stopped until he's finished his work—to set things right on earth.

Far-flung ocean islands wait expectantly for his teaching."

The God Who Makes Us Alive with His Own Life the God who created the cosmos, stretched out the skies, laid out the earth and all that grows from it, Who breathes life into earth's people, makes them alive with his own life: I am God. 

I have called you to live right and well. I have taken responsibility for you, kept you safe. I have set you among my people to bind them to me, and provided you as a lighthouse to the nations, To make a start at bringing people into the open, into light: opening blind eyes, releasing prisoners from dungeons, emptying the dark prisons.

I am God. That's my name. I don't franchise my glory, don't endorse the no-god idols. ISA 42

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There is a city near to our hearts, where franchised glory is the best that more than 6.5 million people know. The God Who Makes Us Alive is breathing His life into many hearts, who see the potential, recognize the coming Kingdom, and respond with "Yes Lord". 

One day, we hope to walk alongside others already there to "make a start" at bringing people into light, where franchised glory dissipates, and Eternal Glory is known, loved, and enjoyed. Forever.