Friends on a plane

Had an amazing time yesterday meeting a new friend and spending some time with some old friends. Normally I am not one to carry on much of a conversation with the people I meet on the plane. A general hello and why are you heading to such and such place. After that I usually try to get in some reading time or listen to the latest tunes on my IPod. Yesterday was totally different for me. The plane was filled to capacity so I knew that I would be sitting by someone on the flight and was hoping it wasn't the 400 pound person that would take up part of my seat as well. (Not the way I want to spend a three hour flight.) A guy finally did fill in the middle seat in the row I was in and I think it was one of those encounters that happen for a purpose. I noticed he had a book that I had started to read awhile back by Craig Groschel and asked him about it. Well that lead to an interesting conversation (I love finding out about people's stories and how the arrived where they are at in life) about his life and that he feels he is maybe being prepared to become a pastor or counselor. Anyway, the conversation lasted basically the entire three hours as we discussed life and the way God has been working in and through our lives. As we discussed things he mentioned he was going skydiving later this week after his conference. I am thinking this the type of friend I would hang out with so I asked him if he wanted to go hiking later that day at Red Rock Canyon. So later that day we went hiking for several hours and had some great conversation and got to take in some amazing views (hope to have some pictures to post later as he also happens to be interested in photography and took some pictures while we were out there). We are suppose to get together for dinner later this week and he continues to try to talk me into going skydiving. Strange to me that I met a new friend on a flight to Vegas. Go figure.

Later that night I had the chance to hang out with some friends that I have known for 20+ years. Great time to catch up a little on life and be challenged by my friend to step into a larger leadership role at church (a reoccurring theme with some of my friends). As I was heading back to the hotel at about midnight (2:00 a.m. for my body) I was thinking how interesting it was that here I was in Vegas and had the chance to spend time with a new friend and someone who has know me from way back when. Funny how God decides to use us and gives us the opportunity to invest in other people's lives whether it may be for a short season (hopefully it last for a longer season) and for over 20 years. Just reinforced to me that no matter where we are at in live that we are to be moving His kingdom forward by meeting the needs around us and investing in people. Hope your day is filled with some incredible opportunities to do just that.

Stop doing list

My wife is the master of to do lists. Me not so much. I wing it and hope my memory serves me well (or better yet ask her to write it down on her list). Most people, whether that write it down or not, have a to do list. We keep adding things to our list that need to get done, but do we have a stop doing list? I often hear people saying that they have no free time or margin in ther lives. They are so stressed out and need an extra couple of hours each day to just get done what they need to. Well, last time I checked I don't think we can add any extra time in a 24 hour day. So why don't we create a stop doing list? I think learning to say no to things is hard for most people. A good idea comes along and we want to jump on board. Great, but what are you going to take off your to do list to make room for it? I've learned over the last several years for me to have the type of relationships that I want that I have to create margin in my life and schedule. Sometimes that means saying no to something so that I keep that margin. I can't really think of anything that I've said no to that I feel that I missed out on, but I know that I would be where I am at today if I hadn't created time for those awesome relationships that I have. So my question is what do you need to put of your stop doing list? Actually make a list right now. What things are eating up the margin in your life?

Thinking outside the box

I have heard and used the term "thinking outside the box" many times, but I don't think that is a good term for me. Here is what I've realized... that my idea of thinking outside the box could very well be in someone else's box. I want to surround myself with people who see things differently than I do. This helps expand how I see things and shapes my perspective. Sometimes it is hard for me to grasp how someone else perceives things but it is good to have those conversations. Wrestling with new thoughts and different ways of thinking widens my perspective. Isn't that what thinking outside the box is supposed to do... help you see things in a different way. So can you by yourself, think outside the box? I don't think so. For our perspectives to change we have to have someone help us change the filter or lens we are viewing things through. Imagine if you had a camera and used only one lens or setting all of the time. To you the pictures may look outstanding, but if someone else comes along and has you try a different lens you may realize what you saw before was really out of focus. The lens helps you see things you may have missed before but you would have never have know that without someone else's influence. I am learning (seems this is going to be lifetime project for me) that I need those different voices in my life. May be frustrating at times as I feel we are talking a different language and seeing two totally different pictures, but those differences are what is helping to shape who I am and how I view the world. So, Lane and Brian, thanks for being two of those people who are currently stretching my perspective. Seeing things from your view of the box has helped shaped my view of the world.

Are you passionate or whatever?

Lots of ideas still floating around in my mind from Catalyst. I was in funk yesterday and I think I might understand why now. The thought occurred to me today that for the several days that I was at Catalyst and for most of the week after I was surrounded with people who were passionate about Jesus, the church and ministry. I was living in that community pretty much 24/7. The best I can describe it is that is kind of like when you go to CIY (or whatever your church camp event is called) and you are surrounded for the entire week with people passionate about God. Then when you get back it is sometimes a rough adjustment because you now have multiple things trying to get your attention. I think I miss the focus, fun, intensity and community. I thrive on those things especially community. I have a high desire to be interacting with people on a deeper level. If I don't, then I run the risk of getting to the attitude of whatever. My desire is to create that community on a consistent level. Not always easy with conflicting schedules, different priorities and different personalities. Trying to figure out how it works, but know that is what motivates my heart a lot of the time.

Along the lines of passion, I found this on a blog from Perry Noble's session at Catalyst. (I didn't actually hear this as it took place on the labs the day before we got there, but it is still good.) The following are four questions he asks himself constantly to make sure he's keeping his passion.

1. How much time do I spend listening to God? Listening takes time. A consistent, uninterrupted time. I think listening is something most people have a hard time doing. I can't tell you how many times I am having a conversation with someone and they are reading a text message or checking their phone. To me that screams I am not really listening to you. I think we do that to God as well. We try to multi-task which means doing a lot of things and usually none of them well.
2. Am I more concerned with being discovered or developed? Are you thinking about what other people think of you or your ministry instead of allowing God to develop your relationships with others and Him? I am often concerned with what other people think about me when if I would instead invest in those relationships I would be so much better off for it.
3. Am I believing any lies? Are their certain lies that you believe that are holding you back? Don't allow critics to doubt what God is calling you to do. For me this means letting people into my life who can see the lies for what they are. I know I have blind spots that I need someone else to see for me.
4. Am I risking or am I playing it safe? If you are playing it safe you probably aren't moving forward. The next risk may be the breakthrough or it could be a failure. It doesn't matter. If God tell you to do something, do it...even if others think you are crazy.

Pursue your passion for Jesus, the church and those He loves. We can't afford to do anything less.

Awesome to... really?

Been reading the Psalms the last couple of weeks. I can so relate to the way David seems to go from God you are amazing to these people suck to God where did you go? (A very loose paraphrase to say the least.) I love the fact these emotions are shown in the Bible in how we relate to God. God does not get frustrated or upset when we bring our wide range of emotions to Him. It is the ultimate relationship. We have the chance to lay it all before Him... the outrageous dreams, the frustrations, the questions, our broken hearts...all the while He continues to love us. Jesus modeled this same consistent love and openness. He didn't tire of the sincere questions, the disciples who didn't always get it, or the people who had screwed up multiple times. In fact those are the ones he was drawn to. That is encouraging to me. He wants to be in a relationship with me. To talk to me, share his ideas, show me his love and hear what I have on my heart. Here is the part that is hard for me in the day to day of life - we are suppose to do the same. Love people, be with them and listen during their good times along with the bad, forgive multiple times. I want it from God, but have a harder time showing the same in return to others. I often want to withdraw and pull out of relationships. I get tired of the inconsistencies, the work required to make it worthwhile, being open when I would prefer to retreat, loving when I don't want to. I know I often fail at doing this, but that doesn't change the fact that is the level I have been called to. Whatever you are feeling right now, take it to God. He desires to hear from you. When you are done talking with Him, find someone to offer the same listening ear to. Be a friend that desires to hear the awesome as well as the really?