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

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. 

120 minutes

Two hours from now, I'll be in the ballroom of the new student center where we anticipate to see hundreds (or more) to assemble for encounter.  I can't wait. Not so much because of how many people will be there, but because He will be there. Being a part of encounter has been such a rhythm of grace in my life. For seven years now, I have experienced the power and presence of God, as we humbly seek to lead a small part of this generation in knowing Jesus. So much preparation, planning, thinking, dreaming, stressing (when we are not praying), praying, and work from our team goes into this weekly event, and I am so thankful for our staff team and volunteers. 

I just needed to say that, before I walk into the room to see their creativity and hard work. Because of their dedication, it has allowed me to be focused on my unique role and walk in prepared to lead in spirit and in truth. 

And -- April gets to be there tonight. My parents (who are awesome) so often drive up and keep the boys so she can still be a part of this. Tonight, I plan on sharing the basic idea that our souls are restless until they find their rest in Him. Colossians 1:15-17 is our anchor text for tonight. Can't wait. More later. 

surrounded.

I have lots of thoughts, but the most important ones right now are honest words about how grateful we are for our family and friends. Yep. Things are a wee-bit-hectic, with the impending baby arrival, encounter starting in a new (and slightly challenging) venue in three days, unpacking our new home, and doing our best to love the two little men already in our lives, and be nice to each other as well. The thing is -- we couldn't really do any of that, and certainly not well, if it weren't for our parents, our staff team, and our friends. We haven't felt this loved and cared for in a long time -- and it's humbling. Today, at our weekly staff prayer time - I reached the end, of a rope I've consistently found the end of, and once again, I found the all-sufficient one: Jesus. 

End of me = More of Jesus. 

As we all prayed together, some face down, many with tears in our eyes, I realized over the past month, how tempted I can be to do stuff on my own --- all the while, there are people who genuinely care for us. Isn't it easier to care for others sometimes? It's really humbling to have people bring dinner, wash my feet, take on some of  "my" responsibilities at work, to have guys spend a weekend helping me move boxes and furniture, or see our moms spend all days unpacking things for us. 

A few minutes ago, April and I ate some Haagan Dazs coffee ice cream... brought to us, by one of many sweet friends who are bringing dinner this week. Thanks to each of you. It's a beautiful picture of belonging to the body of Christ. 

$50 million.

Today was the first day with our new staff team for the year. I have to say it was one of the most meaningful moments of ministry I have experienced in a really long time. It is so powerful to see when our team, all after the same One, all humble and teachable, are fully engaged in our mission to reach Auburn's campus and in some small way, touch the world. 

From 8:30-1:00 today, we looked strategically at how our gifts and abilities match up to our mission, and it was one of the best meetings I have been a part of, ever. After that, we walked over to the new student center ($50 million) in the heart of Auburn's campus, where in 9 days, we will host encounter for the first time in this new venue. We are excited to have Daniel Bashta and Jason Morant leading worship with us. 

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. 

camp lee, starbucks, and the FBI.

For the past few days, I've been part of a youth retreat at camp lee, in Anniston, AL. While here, I read a book I have been wanting to read, but never seemed to have to time for. This morning, while sitting at the local Starbucks (who knew there would be one here?) I finished a book called "The Heavenly Man", the true story of one mans journey to love Christ in China. Unbelievable. The testimony of how God was and is working in the hearts of His Chinese children. Humbling and exciting. 

Yesterday at Starbucks, I was reading and saw at least 5 armored vehicles, with blacked-out windows, and boxes, antennas, and UFC-look-alike agents within 100 yards of me. One staked out at Arbys, McDonalds, one behind Starbucks, one on the highway nearby, and one across the road at a hotel. I confess this peaked my interest. What's up with that many agents in Anniston? I also confess that when I left, I followed them.... but quickly remembered I was not actually a law enforcement office. Just a curious guy who secretly thinks those are pretty cool jobs to have. I turned around, and went back to Camp, where I ate a fantasticly mediocre lunch in the mess hall with new friends.

At camp, I've been walking through the story of God, from before Creation to the Eternal throne, trying to shape these young minds around a bigger story than their own. A couple nights ago, I spoke on faith from Hebrews 11:1 -- the call to focused confidence in Christ,in things we hope for and the assurance of things unseen. 

All the while, I'm reading the incredible story of faith in people's lives who have NOTHING but trust in the things they hope for. More thoughts on this another time. 

Last night, I shared on worship, responding to the worth of God in our everyday living. I came back to the verse in Colossians 1:16 -- being made by Him and for Him. Personally, I've been learning the necessity of my mind "being renewed" because without renewal, there is conformity to the world. It's the subtle, less visible conformity to the world, where I'm growing more sensitive to God's Word. Like so many other times of growth, I crave for the renewal of my mind in Christ -- and I know one way I can respond to the worth of God in my life -- is by agreeing I increasingly need His truth in me. 

"As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Abide in my love" - John 15:9

God of All Comfort

The God of all Comfort

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Who likes trouble? It’s not that we should enjoy it, but it is essential we embrace it. Trouble comes from many angles. Sometimes we choose poorly, and we have to face the music. Sometimes, other people choose poorly, and we have to face their music. Sometimes, bad things happen. There to, we have to face the music.

So often we confuse the gospel as insurance. Insurance that will pad our fall, insulate us from harm, inoculate us from suffering. The life we now have in Jesus however, means assurance. The confidence that in the storms, troubles, hardships… we are not alone, nor is our difficulty without purpose – and purpose that goes beyond our own lives.

We are comforted so that we can comfort. We have assurance in Him, so that we can remind others of our strength for the day, hope for tomorrow. The thing about comfort – is that it must be received. There are times, where we would rather not be comforted, hoping that our self-absorption will get us through the moment, hoping that our self-abasement will be seen as strength or dignity. But, self-reliance is man’s great stumbling block. Comfort must be received. From Him.

So for me to received comfort from God – means I have to be in relationship with Him. This means I need to be still long enough to know He has my attention. Maybe because I believe I can always have the attention of the Perfect Father, means I take Him for granted. A lot. Often. Daily. This is sad and humbling – but this is also great because He is committed to me – and extending me comfort, in all my troubles. All of them.

NYC + us.

yep. 

central park west slide. 

museum of natural history with my little

best friend who loves dinosaurs. 

museum of natural history.

little guys in central park. fun.

manhattan childrens museum to be followed by

a great deli lunch with free pickles. 

our view for the week. crazy blessing on central park west. 

my favorite.

on the road again. rail actually. from bernardsville, nj

seeing family we love. 

times square, on the way to see the 10:20pm

showing (with children) to "Horton Hears A 

Who".

ruby foos.

uganda

He made that.

unacceptable. this child was less than 3 feet away from raw sewage running down

a makeshift spillway in one of the poorest areas of Gaba.

 

children sponsored through ARM near the slums. beautiful.

true.

Three sweet young ladies we are blessed to know via Give Grace. 

The Nkumma House + Auburn students who care + Christmas gifts in February. 

Their Muslim grandmother became a Christian after seeing

someone from our local church carrying water from a well.

She saw the Light of Life in a simple act of carrring 40lbs of water

from a well. She lives next to a new church plant in this village. 

David Sebaana, the Shrop, and JP.

Jennifer, the house mother we sponsor through Give Grace. Amazing woman, giving her life to care for children who have lost their parents. She has two daughters of her own.

Precious children.

Can we adopt her?

Children of Bethany Village.