One year removed...

There are two things I enjoy very much: writing and tea. My dentist told me I drink too much tea but said nothing about my writing (I don't think it's quite as productive as flossing)...

This last year has been ordinary in so much as it's been crazy. I have come to believe that crazy is truly normal (everyone's life seems to be crazy). So maybe we all just live in degrees of crazy or what seems crazy to me. My wife and I are expecting a daughter any day now, the Tour de France is around the corner, and I've drank more tea today than my dentist recommends for a week. Seems like my crazy is shaping up well for the future.

Thoughts on grace...

I have been listening to Matt Chandler a lot lately (and so should you!).

He said something in one of his sermons that has stuck with me. He spoke about when his child began to walk that he wasn't upset after he fell after the first two or three steps. Instead, he was absolutely stoked at his child taking two steps. He then wondered if that is how God feels about us when we try to live in righteousness and love Him. Specifically, he mused after we sin (fall down) and ask for forgiveness, don't you think God is excited to pick us up and say... two more steps this time, go a little farther! 

His depiction of God as a loving father is so absolutely accurate. This doesn't mean God condones or doesn't "notice" our sin, Hebrews 12 makes it clear that God disciplines us as a loving Father. But, as a loving father he is also filled with grace and care... even more so than our earthly fathers!

God is so excited to see us come back to him, because what was once dead is now alive again. Today, I am consumed in thoughts of God's grace, not to condone sin, but to save me from it.

Luke 15:11-32... a beautiful picture of God's love and grace for you and me.

Beautifully soggy...

6 a.m. Woke up to the rain... promptly went back to sleep.
7 a.m. Woke back up and no more rain.... promptly got up and out the door by 8 a.m. for a soggy but rain gear free ride to work.

10 miles of wet roads and humidity it was a good ride.

Fenders are key...

The best way to experience God's creation is in all it's forms...

Marriage is worth it...

Marriage is one of the most sacred and beautiful covenants we were created to enter into. God designed it for us to enjoy it, and to experience Him deeper with the shared life and commitment to another person. I know I have more than enjoyed the three and a half blissful years with my wife Danielle.

Henri Nouwen suggests that marriage is less about our common passions and human love for each other, as it is solely about creating a dwelling place for God in this world.

Marriage is less about us and so much more about God... Truly Divine!

Here are three other men who know far more about marriage than I do...
Listen to them they are wise!

Piper, Carson, and Keller on Sustaining the Covenant of Marital Love from The Gospel Coalition on Vimeo.

The Discipline of Community

The spiritual discipline of community is a unique pursuit. Most spiritual disciplines tend to focus on you and God. While these disciplines can involve others and often as a group we celebrate the rewards of practicing the disciplines of prayer, meditation, fasting, and silence and solitude; the discipline of community requires the intentional involvement of others.

So often, we see Jesus in the gospels going off to pray and to spend time in silence and solitude with the Father. We also see Jesus pouring himself intentionally into the twelve disciples. Christ allowed His spiritual life to form a spiritual community. A community that was brought together around Him and the truth the He is God and our Savior.

Let us be intentional like Christ to form His desired type of community. It must begin with Him and end with Him; and along the way, He will form our community to change the world as it changes us. The spiritual discipline of community is truly all about loving Christ and loving each other, more and more intentionally.

Being Refined

The other day, I read an interview with Doug Franklin. He is a man that I had the fortunate opportunity to work for a few years ago. If you are interested in leadership development, particularly with teens, then you should read it.

I worked for Doug while I was LeaderTreks (He founded LeaderTreks). And, while there I found a new appreciation for evaluation. Not just comfortable, "you're doing a good job", give me a "pat on the back" to make me feel better without challenging me evaluation. I fell in love with evaluation that is honest, open, and challenges you to strive to be better. This type of evaluation is not comfortable. In fact, it pushes us out of our comfort in order to achieve excellence. Simply, it refines us.  

I will?

Right now, I am being refined. This is a good thing.

Radical Love

Jesus is serious about love.

Not just any type love either. He is serious about life changing, grace filled, your heart to his heart love. Do you remember that love that changed your life, which broke into your heart and consumed every part of you; even the parts you were ashamed of and thought could never be redeemed?  Do you remember how Jesus’ radical, no stings attached love changed all of that for you? His love is like nothing else we have ever experienced and He is passionate about showing us this love; over and over and over again. He cries out to us:

“ Come to me all you who are weary and burdened I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

-Matt. 11:28-30

Jesus’ love is radical. It powerfully changes our lives, our hearts, and where we could not find acceptance we are not only accepted but also cherished, and when we were consumed by worries, we find soul satisfying rest. As the ones changed by his radical love we should also be giving this same love out. Love is not love when it has strings attached.

Jesus is a radical lover.