“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
Hebrews 11:1 NKJV

God is doing something.

Have you ever gone through a time where it just makes you scratch your head to what God is doing?  I understand because there are things happening (and not happening) that just make me think, “What is God doing?”

I wonder what God does think when He watches us try to solve and figure out all that encompasses our lives.  Does He chuckle at us, with all of our limitations, while we pray our solutions?  Does He wonder if we forget that He continues to lay out a path that is for our good?  Does He recognize that every challenge and struggle that we turn to Him is a great stride of victory in our relationship?

God is doing something.

The real question that we need to ask is “Can I live with that something?”  Do I have enough in my relationship with God to say,”I trust in you and believe that you have my best in mind when this happens.”  It is easy to say the scripture above – but do I believe it?

Two words jump out to me – “Substance” and “evidence.”

Substance is defined by Merriam-Webster as “ essential nature, a fundamental or characteristic part or quality.”  The very essence of hope is a faith that believes.   If you go to the foundational core of believing in something, you will find a seed of faith.  That is where I find God is challenging me.  In each of these questions, do I have at least a seed of faith to believe that He is leading, directing and ultimately, responsible, to bring the results to pass? Easy to say “yes,” hard to live out sometimes.

Evidence is more to my liking.   Again, it is defined as “the available body of facts or information indicating whether a belief or proposition is true or valid.”  This is where I live.  Give me the facts, the proof, the indication that what I am hoping for is coming to pass.  Yet, the verse above says that the same seed of faith is the present proof when you can’t see the results.  In other words, the fact that you have faith in God for something reiterates your belief that He is working on your behalf.  (Way to go – you are farther along than you thought!)

If you are believing in faith for something, keep going!  Your faith is moving you closer to God.  And that is always in the right direction.

 

It sounded so simple…

I was talking with a friend who played collegiate golf. He is impressive in his shots and patience with those of us who are learning the game. He was telling about a friend of his who is on the professional tour, when he smiled and asked, “Have you ever seen a professional on practice day?” My turn to smile – I have never been to a professional tournament. What does a pro do during the practice rounds.

“While most people visualize a hole from the tee box to the green, a pro will work from the green to the tee box. They work their way backwards.” In other words, they start on the green and take a lot of time learning all the nuances of the green based on where the holes will be during the tournament. Then, they go to the fairway to look at the fairway and landing areas for their approach shots. Finally, they make their way back to the tee box to know what club they need to reach the middle shots.

Great advice for all of us. When we work our way backwards, we start by identifying what the final goal is. Like the terrain of the green, we should be able to visualize the different characteristics of great results in the end. Then, we should be able to state the milestones that will help us approach the end results with the greatest assurance of success. Realizing there are more than “one way to the cup,” we will look at different landing areas or contingencies that could come up along the way. Finally, we look at our starting point and identify what initial steps will set us on the path for a good run at our goal.

Try it! Pick a goal or something you are working on and “work your way backward.” You may be surprised how easy it is to begin when you see it from the end.

Living in Florida, you learn to deal with the heat of summer. It is usually a damp, sticky hot that leaves you sweating and “broiled.” After family lunch yesterday, I jumped in the pool with Jax.

He gained confidence quickly. He was splashing and kicking his feet on the steps. Then, he would let me take him out with me in the deeper water. He would glide like Superman on top of the water. He starts a new batch of swim lessons today, so I thought I would flip him over and see if he remembers how to float. His face, namely his eyes, said it all. He didn’t like being on his back trying to float. He struggled and wriggled to find the right position. All the while, he kept trying to find his Pop. I even tried turning him so I was by his side and he struggled, wriggled and looked at me. His eyes said, “Why are you doing this? I like it when I can see you? This isn’t comfortable and I don’t want to stay like this. Please turn me back over where I am safe.” (Swim lessons will be fun today. I will not watch the video)

How many of us approach God like that? He draws us to Him and we love the new relationship and excitement of living with God. We get good at dwelling in the shallows. Then, we go deeper and gain more confidence as he takes us deeper and we see Him in this new world. But then, he “flips” us and we have to do things “on our own.” We struggle and wriggle in our thoughts, words and actions. We realize that we “cannot see God’s face.” Where is He? Does He know how much I don’t like this? Does He know that I am working as hard as I can? Does He know that I am drowning? I like the shallows so much more than the deep!

Today, we are all taking swim lessons. You don’t even have to put on your bathing suit. God is calling us to a step into the deep. Or in some cases, you are just going a little deeper than you were yesterday. Floating is finding that posture that allows you to “relax” and know that God with you. Finally, you always float facing toward the sky. That is where life is.

 

 

The picture above is a spectacular view of the first hole of a golf course I enjoyed the opportunity to play.  Once you get done with the view,  the golf is another story.  To some this is a place of tranquility and peace.  To me, it is my “laboratory” of finding out what works and what do I need to stop doing.  It is a fun challenge every time I play.

When you hear the phrase “His presence,” I think it is a lot like a golf course.  Those who have been doing it for a long time, know what they have to do to feel the presence of God.  Even at those times when they don’t feel it, like golf, they continue with the fundamentals because they know they will find it again.  Others are growing in their relationship with God.  They are in the “lab.”  Do I experience God more when I read my bible, pray, worship or experience solitude?  Is it when I am outside or inside?  Do I have to be with people or alone?  All good questions and opportunities to find your “Sweet spots.”  Finally, you have the new believer and they just need to learn and understand why you need to experience His presence.  Then, they begin to do the things mentioned above for the first time and get into the game.  Like golf, they could go out and hack it up or they can get some “lessons” by someone more experienced and get some help. GFC’s Foundations class does a great job of this.

Here is the bottom line:  God is present all the time, wherever you are, and no matter the circumstances.  I don’t understand in my finite mind how He can do that, but the bible says in Hebrews 13:5 “I will never, never leave you, nor forsake you.”  His presence is with you always. (Even on the golf course.)

If that is your foundation, you will always have the opportunity to experience His presence.  The choice is yours to pursue and enjoy  it.  And as one of my favorite worship leaders once said, “His Presence Matters!”

 

 

 

One thing that I am passionate about is excellent leadership.  Beyond great strategy, skills and talent, I believe character, integrity and wisdom are the foundation of a solid leader.

Recently, I sat with some great leaders discussing life and we turned to goals   I asked this question.

 “If you were to look at that goal a year from now and you would say that ‘you were hitting  it out of the park and succeeding on all levels.  What would that look like?'”  

Here is the power of this question.  You can apply it to any aspect of your life.  If you want to grow in your relationship with Christ, develop a new skillset, do better financially, improve your golf game (Hello!) and the list is endless.  I use this question all the time.  Sometimes, you realize that it isn’t a high priority goal and you don’t give it much time. Other times, the weight of it will cause you to take these steps.

1.  Identify the goal.  Take some time to really zero in on what you want.  Be specific and clear so you can clearly express it to someone.

2.  Identify milestones.  Its going to be a journey so you are going to need some “mile markers” to know you are on track.  I suggest four – one for every quarter of the year.

3. Tell someone your goal.  You will need the accountability and support from others to keep you  on track and encouraged.

4.  Write it down.  I was told this by one of my mentors and I have to say that it is a great visual to see something in your life that you are working on.  Write it down and put it in a place you will see it every day.

5.  Take action.  Too many goals and great ideas remain in the mind or the board room.  Take the first step today.  It is a journey.  Take one step today, take one step tomorrow, etc.  You are giving yourself 365 steps to attain this goal.

Where do you need to grow?  Pick one thing, follow this process and go for it!

“The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it” I Thessalonians 5:24

How many of you recognize that you are on a journey with God? Like many of your natural journeys, it has tasks, challenges, joys and wins. Just the word “journey” denotes a length of time and commitment. And all journey’s have at least one thing in common: you have to take the first step.

Isn’t that an amazing part? All the anticipation, excitement, preparation and expectation comes to fruition and you begin. You are full of energy and passion and you begin down a new road with great hope that all that you have done to accomplish your goal will be successful.

I was sitting with a friend in an airport recently and we were discussing our journey with Christ. We were both far from the beginning. We were far into our journey and had the bumps, bruises and scars to prove it. We shared some amazing highs and some challenging lows. And we both gave each other that knowing smile, “It was totally worth it.” I wondered out loud,”How does one keep going when the journey seems too long and has too many obstacles in the way?”
I heard a minister share the initial verse. Let me break it down for you…

“The one” – there is on who calls you whose name is above all names, everything falls under His authority. There is no one higher or greater than Him.

“Who calls you” – He calls us. By name, by relationship and by purpose…he continues to call.

“Is faithful” – This always makes me smile. The Creator of heaven and earth constrains himself by his word that He will be faithful. He will not slack off or miss it. He consistently, lovingly draws us to relationship.

“and he will do it” – We may not see it today, tomorrow or next day but if we stay on the journey, he will accomplish his will in us.

So, you have a choice. Stay where you are or take the next step. Go ahead…he’s got this.

 

Heaven and Earth – Hillsong Worship

Heaven and earth collide
The Savior for everyone has come
Bringing the dead to life
All for the glory of Your name

By His stripes we are healed
By His death we can live
In Jesus name, in Jesus name
All oppression will cease
Every captive released
In Jesus name, in Jesus name

 

This is the chorus from the song “Heaven and Earth” by Hillsong Worship.  I love this CD and this song in particular is really kicking my butt the last few days.   We get to interact with an amazing, BIG God and yet, we have our “smallness” in sin and our inadequacies.

The phrase “heaven and earth collide” is pretty accurate.  The word collision means “to strike one another or one against the other with a forceful impact;come into violent contact; crash; to clash; conflict”  Don’t you feel like there are days where your life and God’s will are just like rock ’em, sock ’em robots.  You want this, He want that. Bam! Pow!

Here is what is kicking my butt…the last line of the chorus – “In Jesus name.” That is slowing me down and making me ponder all that Christ has done for me.  Jesus changes everything.  No situation, circumstance or challenge can compare to my savior, sinless and the embodiment of God, hanging on a cross for me.  Also, it is in that same name, that gives me victory over those situations.  In other words, He not only paid the debt but also paved the way out of the challenge to receive the ultimate victory in the end.

Leave you with this challenge – Whatever you are facing today, good or bad, try looking at it from God’s perspective.  What would you want to see accomplished in you?  What would you see as the long-term effect?  What would you see that would build on your relationship?  Finally, how much weight would that decision have on your eternity?

“In Jesus’ name”…it will change your perspective.

 

 

I once heard someone say that of the four hundred plus leaders mentioned in the Bible, only twenty percent finished well in their faith.  

I am forty seven as I write this and I am closer to being on the “other side” of the hill.  I wonder what my last decades and years are going to look like at times.  I look back on those previous years with wonder and gratefulness.  There have definitely been challenges and painful situations but I would say that overall, it has been an amazing journey with God and those I love.

You can argue the accuracy of the opening statement in bold but the majority of people in the bible eventually fell into their own desires and will.  One who baffles me is Solomon.  When your father is “a man after God’s own heart” and you have more wisdom, money and resources than anyone else in the world, you would think you would have a basis for a successful, vibrant relationship with God.  In I King 11:4-8, it talks about how his wives turned him away from God.  He can’t play the blame game – he blew it.

How do you and I finish strong?  Here is a couple of thoughts:

• Stay Broken.  We were born into sin – we were broken before we took our first breath.  Accepting Christ and an ongoing relationship covers the price of our sin.  Even so, recognizing our human brokenness keeps a reliance on Christ to walk out each day.  In thinking we “have arrived,” we put the bullseye on ourselves that we can handle life’s challenges on our own.

 

• Stay in Communication.  Being around people every week at church, it is always fun to see people who attend on Easter and Christmas.  Since I stand at the stairs, they usually will recognize me and reaffirm our relationship.  After chatting for a few moments, one will say, “I will call you.”  We know that means the conversation is done and neither of us expect to have a phone conversation any time in the near future.  Hard but simple question – When is the last time you said to God, “I will call you.”

 

• Stay in Relationship.  One of the greatest tools of the enemy is for us to think we are “alone.”  In every circumstance, good or bad, he loves to twist the situation from “God is with us” to “where is God?” Or, “I did this myself, I do not need God.”  I have seen people that when they experience success, they don’t need God anymore.   I once was told by an upcoming businessman, “I have a great wife, kids I love and a job that is doing extremely well beyond my expectations.  I even know what you are going to say in the Bible, but “Why do I need God?”  Be very careful of what you think you have done “all by yourself.”  It can change very quickly.

 

• Stay in Awe.  I will always have a Children’s Pastor’s blood flowing through me.  My roles are so different now but I still want to look at things through the eyes of a child.  When we lose the ability to be amazed or in awe of something, I believe we lose creativity, imagination and a sense of fun in life and with God.  Stand on top of a mountain, wiggle your toes on a sandy seashore, hold a newborn baby, hug an older person, dance with a person in a wheel chair.  The list is endless.  God’s expression for us is the same way…always changing and keeping us in wonder.

 

• Stay in Love.  My marriage to Kristin is going to be at twenty seven years on May 14th.  I choose her every day over anyone else in this world.  It isn’t even a question of whether it is a good day or a bad day.  She is my love, my passion and everything I want in a wife.  I choose her.  That is how I approach God.  I choose Him.  No matter the circumstance, challenge, or victory – God is my God and I love him more than all the “little gods” that pop up in my life.  I choose to stay in love with him even when it doesn’t make sense.  Or, better yet, when it does make sense and I can easily take it for granted.  Love is a choice…I choose Him.

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. —DEUTERONOMY 31: 6

 

I was on vacation when I took this picture.  It was dusk – the sun was setting and the low clouds made for an unusual sunset.  Instead of the fireball kissing the water and creating the huge color fest, it was muted.  As if daring the sun to try to find a way through, the clouds parted enough for just this one, small glimpse of the sun.

You might read this and think – that’s the way it is going for me.  I am doing everything I can to live for God and honor Him in all my ways and I feel like I am all alone.  I am like this picture.  I work so hard to do the “right things” and yet, where is God in my challenges and pain?

As we are preparing for the Freedom Encounter at Grace Family this upcoming weekend, I have been praying about people who are walking this path.  And so you know, you are not alone.  I think everyone goes through times when they feel “all alone.”  I know I have.  Even with a tremendous family and friends who love and support me, I get that “isolated” feeling at times.  It is an interesting place to be in when your journey leads you to places no one else can go to just because others are not you.

Therein is a lie and a truth.  The lie comes in the form of “you being the only one to experience this and that you were meant to fail.”  The enemy loves to use thoughts of isolation, condemnation and frustration to make us feel like we will never meet expectations of our own or others.  In Romans 1:25 NIV, the Bible says, “They exchanged the truth about God for a lie…”   So what is God’s truth?  The scripture above says it best; “He will never leave you nor forsake you.”  The truth is that God will “never” leave you alone.  Applying a loose definition of “never” to your situation – as bad, dark or difficult the circumstance – you will “always” have God to turn to and put your trust in.  There is always hope.

Life is real.  It has tremendous joys and challenges.  You can meet each one of those head on, with great confidence – you are never alone.

 

 

 

 

Easter 2015 is done.

I am writing this the morning after and I have lots of thoughts swirling in my head after my quiet time and my preparation time for the upcoming week. Indulge me to write in random observations…

• I didn’t preach six times live…How does Pastor Craig do that?
• I didn’t sit at all during those six services…now I know why I am tired.
• If a church doesn’t do a Good Friday  or Sunrise service, they are missing one of the coolest experiences.  They might be traditional, but young, cutting edge churches, enjoy the honoring of traditional. (Same goes true for 11pm on Christmas Eve!)
• The GFC staff on all of our campuses were tremendous – this is our Super Bowl and you are World Champions in my book!
• The GFC Volunteers on all of our campuses were awesome – you truly are the heart of GFC and it showed time and time again.  You might not think someone noticed what you did, but we did.  And they did…and most importantly, He did.
• I continue to be humbled by the Cross.  The song “We Thank You for the Cross” was powerful and such a great reminder of the price that was paid for me.
• I wish we could do more services in an open air setting – something cool about being outside and worshipping God.
• Our maintenance team cleaned up spills, up chucks, and did more environment turn overs than people will know…how do you take 1,500 hundred chairs and reset the courtyard, while baptisms are happening before the 9:30 service hits?  Wow!
• Speaking of baptism…72 people will be able to say they were baptized on Easter 2015 morning! That is huge!
• People ask what it is like to watch Casey lead worship – still gets me.  Watching him lead “Unto God” from the front row caused a couple of tears…never gets old.
• So many children – what a great thing!  GFC loves children!  P. Mike and Jeanna and all their teams bring God’s love to the next generation.
• Grateful to everyone who makes our strategy of campuses come to life.  Your willingness to “be out in the community,” allows us to do just that – “reach our community.”
• Being on staff does not eliminate you from the traffic when leaving an Easter service.  Even waiting till most of it is gone…you still get to practice the art of “patience and forgiveness.”
• One memory people will not see – sitting with P. Craig and Debbie before the last service.  We had 5 min. to sit before greeting the last service.  I am grateful that God led my family to come to GFC 20 years ago. I have been through so many holidays and services with my pastor.  He is truly everything I aspire to be as a pastor, leader and man of God.  He is the Best!
• Final memory – as my family gathered for Easter lunch to bless our meal – as I looked around the circle, I was humbled in the blessing I have in family.  I saw so many who took family pictures to remember the day.  We couldn’t do that because we were all over the place serving the church or others. But when we circled up, I knew how blessed I am.  You guys are my greatest gift!

Hey!  We have more services in six days…let’s do this!