TRUST me on this...

There are not too many people I trust. However, I do have people I trust with my life. Trust is a lost art in the world of one-upping another, gossipping, betraying, unreal, hidden agenda, and attention-getting culture we live in. The generation we are a part of right now-has trust issues. Blame whoever you want: friends, mom, dad, politicians, teachers, preachers, and Presidents. Trust is to live with undeniable confidence and faith in someone. I have those people in my life that I can trust to call me out when needed, correct me when needed, and be straight up real with me whether I need it or not. That is why I trust them-they are looking out for me. They want me to be the best version of myself I can be.
The Bible is pretty clear on the fact that we can put our TRUST in GOD. Here are some great words to meditate on regarding this thought:

Psalm 9:10
Those who know your name will trust in you, for you,
LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.

Psalm 20:7
Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.

Psalm 37:5
Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this:

Psalm 62:8
Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Isaiah 12:2
Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid.

John 14:1
Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.

Romans 10:11
As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."

Go Ahead, Make My Day!

I find it important to go out of my way to make someone's day. I do this because I know how much I appreciate it when someone make's mine. Sometimes I know the person who made it because they make themselves known, other times it may come as an anonymous surprise. Recently I have tried to be intentional about the concept. It doesn't come out of selfish reasoning, it doesn't come out of pride, it comes out of the fact that I find joy in it. Have you ever met a genuinely nice person(possibly a stranger) who made your day by greeting you, making you laugh, paying for your coffee habit, or just happened to put you first? I have met people like that and because of them, I want to make sure the way they made me feel, is reciprocated in how I am. I have a friend who makes my day when he calls me, just to say he was wondering how I was doing. You've heard the phrase, "Go ahead, make my day." It was actually voted on in 2005, as the 6th most quoted and recognizable movie line in AFI history, from the movie Sudden Impact. That is what I want encourage you with today- think about making someone's day, just because you can, not because it will bring you great reward. Be creative, be simple, be you! Today, my day was made by sitting with a bunch of 2nd graders eating lunch and helping in their class. Then I was invited out to play kickball on recess. Pretty cool and pretty out of my normal routine...but definitely worth it. So go ahead, make someone's day! BECAUSE YOU CAN.

INNOVATION EFFORTS START...

IF you could fill in the remaining title of this blogpost you may come up with a number of thoughts or statements. Today I was challenged by a brilliant business mind, Gary Hamel, on how INNOVATION takes place in the marketplace and the church. The TAKE-AWAY for me was this thought: Innovation efforts start with unpacking traditions without loosing core foundations. In the church, just like the marketplace, we cannot lose the foundations on which the church was built, but we can be innovative in our efforts to push the church forward. The idea of Apple was presented. Apple computers is a company that has capitalized on 4 industries in recent years that were out of Apple's market 10 years ago. They decided that they would take industry standards and make a better product and innovation to push products. That they did. They are the number one company for music sales thanks to the introduction of itunes. They hold the NO. 1 position for the computer sales market for computers over $1,000. They also are now a top retailer of merchandise by opening APPLE Stores throughout the globe. Innovation in the church must start by unpacking traditions and seeing how we can take the message of Jesus Christ to a hurting world using new methods and innovations. Technology is obvious one of those ways, but it is just one way. We have to think outside in. Step away from the inside of the church, and see what it would look like to stand on the outside of the church and see how we can be more effective. The foundations of the church are solid, now we just have to find a way to build on those foundations that let us use our creativity and innovative minds. There are ways this must be done, to advance the Kingdom of God. So let the innovation efforts begin...you my friend play an important role. 10 years ago the most innovative tools were not even on the radar of culture yet. Let's see what the next 10 years hold, but lets not wait, lets make it happen.

Noble: A Lost Word in A Lost Culture

When you hear the word 'noble' ring through your eardrums, it may spark imagery of castles, knights in shining armor, royalty, or an English countryside. Nobility refers to grandeur or magnificence; state or quality of being noble; or a class of body in a country. The word noble speaks of possessing high moral qualities. The fact is we don't hear the word tied to too many in our culture today, because it is a lacking quality in many. But WHY? Throughout the Bible we see the word used to describe those with high morals. Ruth is described as a woman of noble character, the woman in Proverbs 31 is alluded as one who surpasses many noble women, and "happy is the land whose King is a noble leader" Ecc. 10:17.
If there were words that would be used to describe me, I would hope that "NOBLE" is one that would come to mind. Culture is filled with imperfect people who are full of themselves, but our culture also is filled with noble, righteous, and integrous people. The fact is-the noble one's don't always make the news because they are...well, noble. They possess high moral quality, and therefore must not be news worthy. After all NOBLE people don't really sell magazines, it is the scandalous rebel who will normally sell more. (unless it is a story of heroism that is involved, but heroism and nobility are different.) A few weeks ago I hung a scripture verse next to my desk to memorize.

Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right,
whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—
if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Today as I re-read the verse and say the word 'NOBLE', it puts in perspective the type of man I aim to be. Most of us don't use this word in our everyday vocabulary, because "noble" has become unpopular, forgotten, and missed by many. I hope that as a culture we can go back to the times when nobility was used in naming people, groups, cultures, and systems. Nobility may not bring accolades or attention why you live on this earth, but that is OK. The gospel of Luke says "But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop." If being noble produces a 'crop' as referred to in scripture then, YES I want to be NOBLE. A lost word for many in our culture, but hopefully not you!

Hallelujah-it's fun to say for so many reasons!

Hallelujah, it was a word that I was introduced too early on in life. I heard people sing it, verbalize it, and pray with it. For the past 3 decades singers from all genres have released songs with this word in the title. One version, written by Cohen and sung by Buckley, was recorded in 1994, and was in the TOP 5 on charts all over the word as recent as 2008. The word HALLELUJAH is a word with Latin & Hebrew roots that is a universal word meaning an expression of joy and praise to God. Throughout scripture you will find word being used to honor God for victory, glory, His goodness, and for His mighty reign. As a kid I used to say it because it was a fun word, and really like the song where we did hand motions using the word in children's church on Sundays. Now I have a different appreciation for it, because I understand it beyond a song or hand motions. I can say Hallelujah for many things in my life. Here is a prayer my father wrote using the word. Read it and personalize it for you today:

Hallelujah for your salvation.
Hallelujah for the power of the Holy Spirit.
Hallelujah for your peace in my storms.
Hallelujah for your provision for every need.
Hallelujah for the music you have sent my way to lift my spirits.
Hallelujah for my family that continues to encourage me daily.
Hallelujah for my friends that cheer me on.
Hallelujah, that Jesus is Lord of my life.
Hallelujah, Amen! Amen!

When I read that prayer and apply it to my day and express my joy and praise to God, it already makes it a good day. Hallelujah, it is a word with great meaning, its fun to say, and it is bringing praise to God who deserves it. So, dwell on this word for today, and apply it as you live your day out!

SUPPLY and DEMAND

Supply and demand is a basic economic model to help determine price and is really the backbone for the economy. It is the most basic fundamental concept. The word 'supply' is a Biblical word that speaks of God's promise to provide and meet all of your needs. I remember of a few occasions where I have seen God's supply in my life and in our family's life. I have stories that would fill a blog a day for years. A few years ago we were coming off of 4 months of no work and our bank account was dwindling. We knew we needed something and so did God. One day, in a local coffee shop, we had a guy give us 2 gift cards to a local grocery store. It was one of those 'Wow God' moments. I had seen them before and even been a recipient of those moments before, but this one was different. Later that day we had someone stop by our house and drop off another gift card to the same grocery store. It was God's way of saying that day, "Don't worry I will supply every need." Supply God did, because the total of those gift cards carried us through to the first pay check at our new place of employment. SUPPLY- God did, DEMAND- was not even in the conversation, it was simple we needed a miracle. In the Biblical use of this word and related to God, it is not a partnership or a model like it is in the marketplace. When we demand something, God does not just supply it. In the business model there are words thrown around such as marginal cost, demand curve, supply curve, etc.... The model that involves God is simple...God supplies. There are no stipulations, schedules, or widgets. God knows how much you need when you need it and is able to provide it according to His plan. As a matter of fact there is one Hebrew name of God that is for this specific concept: Yahweh Yireh. It was the name Abraham gave Him for providing a ram. You can fully know that wherever you are in your life call out to God and let Him provide. Remember where your supply comes from and be reminded of today of God's miracles in your life. Supply and demand works for us in the marketplace of life, but with our relationship with God-it's just SUPPLY.

Below are verses that you can meditate on that will reinforce this factor of supply in your life:

Psalm 104:27-28 (NLT)
They all depend on you to give them food as they need it.
When you supply it, they gather it. You open your hand to feed them,
and they are richly satisfied.

Psalm 147:8
He covers the sky with clouds; he supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the hills.

2 Corinthians 9:10
Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply
and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.

Philippians 4:19 (KJV)
And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 13:20-22
May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant
brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep,
equip (supply) you with everything good for doing his will,
and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ,
to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

1 Peter 4:11 (NLT)
Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.

Why Chaos Happens!

Chaos can be both something that is fun to be a part of(I'm thinking a crowd of people cheering for a team) or something that can be very tragic. This past weekend, I was a part of something that could have been chaotic for me and my entire family. I happened to be driving to an event for pastors. I passed the church I was headed to and decided to turn around. As I did, this car came up on my bumper and literally stopped me. I was a little shocked. Out ofc the corner of my eye, I had caught a teenage kid waiting by a school. Before I knoew what to do-this guy who could easily have been a lineman for most professional football teams jumps out of his car, and walks toward mine. I rolled my window down in a cool fashion and was like, what's up man? (mind you I'm 6' and a buck 85 wet. He said, and I am not even joking- "did you pull guns on my kid?" The first give away should have been the car seats in the back of my ride, because I roll hard core as a dad! I was like "no dude unless you are talking about my arms", and then I dropped I'm a pastor line. That one works although I only pull it out if I am feeling threatened and for a split second I did. NOt syaing it works, and I have only used it maybe one other time in my life. By that time the kid was like "Dad, wrong car, wrong guy, dad." In an instant I was ready to roll the guy if I needed. He apologized and shook my hand and apologized again. It got me thinking though-this is why are society is all jacked up-because people don't think before the act. Retaliation happens because emotions can threats are not held in check. As I drove away I said you need any help, and the dad said, "no man, I got some friends." The rest of the day went on without any gunshots being heard, but I'm just saying-chaos is crazy!