in search of a wallet

A few weeks ago, I heard via Rob Bell at his Columbus, Ohio stop on the Drops Like Stars tour, about the Art of Elimination. Something tells me, we’ll hear more on this topic, later at Centerpoint. With that topic in mind, let me share a story:

Humiliated, I can share this story. On many days of the week, I leave in the wee hours in the morning to hit the local ymca for a workout before work. Okay, who am I kidding, my attendance rate has suffered as of late, but I digress. This morning though, I was back in my groove. Usually, I’m a person of routine, do things at certain times and leave things in certain places, in order to navigate safely throughout my day – people call this OCD. Anyway, this morning, I got away from that routine as I grabbed extra stuff to put in my hands, my wallet, being one of those extras.

So for some unbeknownst reason, I put my wallet on top of the car so I could do the other extra stuff. One would think I would have secured the wallet first (no, not because any money in there), but I didn’t.

Skip ahead a little bit. When I return to my car post workout, the 2nd thing I do is get my wallet out of the center console. Not this time, this time, the wallet wasn’t there. That’s right, I left the wallet on top of the car. After clocking in at work, I headed home to do search and rescue — a big THANK GOD I found it and most of the information within, minus a few non-essential business cards (no offense if that was you).

Why do I link this story with the Art of Elimination? As I shared earlier, I added things to my routine, which isn’t a bad thing per-se; but, it was something extra. I began to think, what extra things do we let in our live that totally disrupt our focus and gain our attention? For me, this simple parable spoke loudly to me as I continue through this journey of faith and as I question: what in my life is extra?

So this is Christmas

Snow is about to fall, parties and dinners in full swing, I have joined the iPhone ranks, yet what is the meaning of it all? In a word, love. In a name, Jesus. For a reason of rescuing us all from ourselves.

Today may you experience the love of Jesus. May you come to the rescue of some so He can be known to all.

I live on a farm…

… And it’s not all that exciting. We’re fortunate & blessed enough to live on considerable amount of land that’s been farmed in its history. While we advance in times, the thoughts of cows, goats, and chickens don’t excite me too much. In reality, it’s not my thing.

However, that’s me, a postmodern, 2009 westerner thinking. But a farm in a 3rd world country can save lives. In fact, the folks at world vision indicate that two sheep, two cows, two goats, two pigs, and 20 chickens can strongly help provide nutrition and essentials to those who live a vastly different lifestyle than I do. A farm for them isn’t an afterthought or irrelevant, it’s the difference between life & death.

This is why at Centerpoint, we have chosen to partner with world vision and raise money for some farms. Would you consider partnering with us & world vision to bring life to a hurting world.

presence over presents

Nearly six months ago, I posted a very similar topic. We love to bless people with gifts. Our consumerism has taught us to buy gifts for people and that’s a sign of love. We go so far as to buy things we don’t really think about, yet we feel obliged to give. In fact, I have been guilty of this trend. For years, I thought that I could “save” people in my family by the buying of gifts, or I could introduce people to Jesus by giving them a nice-sized gift card for Christmas.

But I have been challenged, and will continue to be on this topic. It’s tough bc reorienting ourselves during Christmas seems easy, but it’s not due to our culture and lifestyles.

The last time I challenged you to rethink presents you give to people, and used our sons as examples since they enjoy the presence of their family & friends so deeply. Yet now, I sit challenged & convicted as I realize that I have hoped that by buying certain people certain things, that they would realize I love them — yet I rarely call these people on the phone or have dinner with them. Crazy isn’t it?

I’m not there yet – we’re not there yet, but we’re trying. We’re trying to balance our wants over others deep needs in this world. What we have realized that, refocusing ourselves during Christmas will take baby-steps, ones that I hope our family can join with us.

Let me again close this one like the previous, Jesus was the ultimate presence-giver. So find ways to give yourself, to begin and broaden relationships, to offer meaningful presence b/c it’s presence over presents that will bring true hope to our world.

my thoughts on Tiger Woods

I just read Tiger’s personal apology for “personal sins” he has made within his family. If you read my blog, you will know, I am a huge fan of Tiger Woods on & off the golf course. I have relented on weighing in on this issue to see what happens, even though I had my doubts. In part, I am disappointed as I had hoped this image he has mass-advertised would be legitimate. Now that more allegations are surfacing – to which I believe some to be true, some to be money-grabing lies, the reality is, his image has taken a hit.

Though should I be disappointed? Should I be hurt? I am hurt for him and his family but the reality is folks, he is human living a life way beyond the norm and just like all of us out there, he has made mistakes against his family, himself, and God.

Even though I hoped he was different, that’s a stretch. I can’t hope in people to not be perfect. I can hope they learn from grace and provide hope and to be inspired by people. But I can’t hope someone is perfect, because there is and will only be one perfect being – Jesus.

Tiger said his wife has shown him grace. I pray she continues. I pray he learns from it. I am rooting for him to overcome this; not so I can root for him at the Master’s, but so I can root for another human being, like me, to learn from our sins and to become better people.

It’s sad the amount of time we spend judging others and feeding off their mistakes, when we have our own. Let this be a reality check that we all make mistakes. We all screw it up. No matter how far we go to protect ourselves, we all make mistakes, self-included. Let’s learn from them. And better yet, let’s extend the grace we receive to others around us.

things I am thankful for

There are many things to be thankful for, and I’d like to list some of mine, in no particular order.

An amazing wife who has been loyal, loving, and genuine through 8+ years of marriage. She’s an amazing person, mother, and friend.

Two wonderful boys who each day give me a glimpse of what God the father is like. Two wonderful boys who love me for being a dad. And I love them more than words could ever express. Two wonderful boys who are no less than miracles.

Family who loves us w/out question. And better yet, family who loves our boys.

Friendships that go beyond the norm. We have close friends who are as close as family. They appreciate me and us, support us, pray for us, and w/out them, our life would be vastly different.

Centerpoint, a church with a vision; a church who accepts & loves everyone; a church that loves to reach & touch everyone in our community & the world.

All the above points to being thankful for a God who shows his love to us in many different ways.

Advent Conspiracy

Call me a copy-cat of Pastor Christopher in posting this video but it’s something that I am really looking forward to. Months ago I blogged about presence over presents and this will be a challenge but one worth encountering. Check out the video and join the movement; pray about how to change the world & love all.

Ohio State / Michigan Week

Enough said

the open table

Last week we started 2 groups at Centerpoint to watch, read, and discuss our faith. We are using Donald Miller’s DVD The Open Table: An invitation to know God to facilitate this conversation. Through 2 weeks, it has been amazing to hear people share their stories, their backgrounds, and their different journeys in faith. And each time we share & interact, we shed some light into our frailness and vulnerability. And I am finding it’s in these moments of frailness that we truly open ourselves up to healing and to community. It’s in these sacred moments, we find ourselves bonded to one another on a different & unique level – one that I believe is directed by God to allow us the opportunity to experience more of his love.

This week while reading the material, and am still pondering it today, is the pursuit of God. Typically we tend to think we search for this God but in reality, it’s this God who searches for us. Afterall, if we believe the claims of Jesus, then we must realize he first came to us. He loves us so much, to be with us, to interact with us. And while his earthly presence is no more, if we believe it to be true of him then, then spiritually speaking, it’s true today. This divine presence cares for us & pursues us even now.

May you find that this God comes to you, and he likes you.

classic preaching moment