The Journey

God has called me to follow Him a journey this New Year. Not that I haven't always been on a journey with Him, but I guess to travel down a new path. I've been sensing the calling and restless for a little while now, but in my true, typical nature... trying to out-think and maneuver things on my own. But God even this morning confirmed that He wants me to go. I don't know much beyond that, but am excited about what He is calling me to and hope to be able to share more as the journey continues.

This New Year, God put before me Paul's words in Philippians 3:10-11, "I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead." I haven't been able to move from the thoughts of what it means to really know Christ and can't even really get my mind around the idea of sharing in His sufferings. I think that is in part to being an American Christ-follower.

And I've had to face the natural trepidations that come with the idea of going on this journey knowing the word "suffering" is potentially on the path. Then in doing a little more exploring God led me to an earlier passage in Paul's same letter where he said, I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. (1:20-24).

Ah, much more comforting... moving from suffering to simply facing death. I read passages and statements in Scripture like these and sometimes have to wonder if the modern church, average Christian or closer to home - even myself can even grasp what it means to follow Christ. I almost said to follow Christ at that level, but realized for Paul it was just following Christ they way Jesus intended and even modeled for us Himself in His relationship with the Father.

But the journey starts with the first step... so, off I go.

Germany Mission 1

Well I've made it over here to Germany and have finally adjusted after being awake for about 30 hours or so. The time change was pretty killer and the plane ride was not all that relaxing. But God has been so faithful so far in giving us opportunities to praise His name and share the Gospel. The context for being a pastor here seems incredibly difficult. Many small churches and seeing a convert not only takes a huge commitment of time, but from what I hear are few and far between. Tomorrow we sing in the Cologne Dom which is an incredible privilege. Not many groups get the opportunity to sing in such a historic place. I'm praying it will generate some good conversations afterward, but I'm finding my German to be pretty rough since the last time I was here was about 4 years ago.

The weather is freezing and it has been snowing off and on since we have been here. I've taken some great pics, but forgot my USB cable to do some uploading so I could post them. Maybe I can find someone else with one. If you are reading this, say a quick prayer for me and our team that the Gospel would go forth whether in word or song and we would be faithful laborers to sow the seeds of hope! Prais sei zu Gott

The Pursuit

Everyone wants to be a hero... to make their life count... to do something with their life. I'm no different. I tend to dwell on this theme of significance, as does this generation that I'm tasked to minister to. There is something God-given and God-inspired at our very core that desires to matter.

Sadly we search for significance by pursing pleasures in this world, gathering 'toys', seeking prestige, positioning for power and the list goes on and on. We miss that our significance is found in Christ alone - in a person, but I would argue in our pursuit of Him as well.

In 1 Timothy 4:10 Paul writes "For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe."

That verse is incredibly challenging to me in my journey. My pursuit of Christ will not be easy! Living a life that matters will be filled with toil and strive. Why do I do the things that I do? Why do I want my life to matter?

I continue on in the pursuit because in it is this unbearable weight of His presence. This overwhelming thought of being found in Christ and made like Christ makes me want to smile, cry, rejoice, feel crushed, rejoice and mourn all at the same time.

The thing that is disturbing to me about making our goal = significance is that our very attempts to matter and achieve oftentimes fight against the very simple truth that Christ simply wants us to pursue Him. Period. Be found in Him. Period. I'm learning that it isn't that He doesn't care about the results or the goal, but that He is the result and the goal!

A lot of our heroes of the faith that loved our great God and King and were obedient beyond the norm didn't quite get the goal they were probably hoping for:

* Moses spends his whole life with grumbling, whiners and dies without getting to walk into the promise land.
* Samson suicide bombs the Philistines and when the dust settles he is dead and the Philistines still rule over Israel.
* David's son rapes his sister and leads a rebellion against David, dethroning him for a season.
* Jeremiah ends up in exile with the rest of the country after repeatedly getting beaten for preaching what God commanded him to preach.
* John the Baptist is beheaded by a pervert who gives his head to a 15-year-old stripper.
* Peter is killed, reportedly crucified upside down.
* Paul is killed in Rome but only after he spends his life (with thorn intact) being beaten, rejected, lost at sea, and consistently dealing with people coming in behind him and destroying what he built.

I read it this way recently, "If your hope is set on anything other than Him, how do you survive when it goes bad? If He is the goal, the treasure, the pursuit, then those things are fuel that presses you into His goodness and grace all that much more. I am not saying they are pleasant or enjoyable but only that if He is your goal you will find your faith sustained."

My I be found obedient and passionate in the pursuit of a God who is more faithful in pursuing me than I ever could be in pursuing Him! Soli Deo Gloria!

God Change Things? God Change Me!

I had the awesome opportunity to preach at Cru (Campus Crusade @ FSU) tonight. I am always grateful for the chance to preach the Word, but I'm always encouraged speaking to this generation of college students. Most that are following Christ, are doing so with a hunger to be different and make an impact and desire for God's name and renown to go to the ends of the earth.

God has really been challenging me with the notion of desiring God to change things rather than changing me. Too often I'm looking at circumstances, pain, temptation and my surroundings and looking for those to change rather than asking God to change me through them. Too often I think we are always looking to God for answers rather than just knowing and resting in the fact that He is the answer. I've been challenged to start praying God change me instead of God change things.

I have a desire to be consumed and thus satisfied with Christ. He is my sufficiency and portion forever. It must become less about what He offers or even where He is taking me and just more about Him.

A story I read this week really hit home. It is the story of Dr. John Kavanaugh’s visit to Mother Teresa’s “house for the dying” in Calcutta, India. Kavanauh had traveled half way around the world seeking a clear answer on the direction his life should take. He met Mother Teresa, and she asked what she could do for him. He asked her to pray for him that he might have clarity. Mother Teresa responded firmly, “No, I will not do that”. Surprised by her quick denial, he asked her why. “Clarity is the last thing you are clinging to and must let go of,” she said. Kavanaugh looked at her and responded that she always seemed to have clarity about her purpose and mission. Mother Teresa laughed and said, “I never had clarity; what I have always had is trust. So I will pray that you trust God!”

If you choose to walk with God, you may not find the clarity that you seek about your future, your dreams, or even any decisions you need to make... and you don’t get to be in control either! But what He offers is a relationship with His Son and our Savior. A life changing relationship where He is at work molding us and shaping us into His image. I pray my heart would find satisfaction in no other and my life would be consumed in knowing Him, loving Him and making Him known. Soli Deo Gloria!

Happy Bday Jake Taylor!

I guess this post will be one of those self-indulgent, proud daddy-type entries. But I did want to take a moment to celebrate the blessing God gave Brooke and I two years ago when our Jake Taylor entered the world. It has been so amazing to watch him grow and develop. He's quite a character and is all boy for sure.

It's hard to believe that we were celebrating his first birthday a year ago already. Time has sure flown by. Fortunately this birthday was uneventful (in a good way) and we didn't end up in the ER like last year. If you missed that story, click here.

Thanks to all the relatives who made the trek over to Tally to celebrate with us. We had a great time sharing the day with the ones we love. So let me wish a big happy birthday to my little man... Daddy loves you!

Becoming like Christ

What a second day it has been for me during this time of 'Refuge' here in Bham. I had a great start to my morning by getting some free Starbucks (thanks John) and then getting to check out a Bham staple... the Rick and Bubba show. They've got a new studio that was pretty sweet. Refill on the Starbucks, some conversation with God and then I was on my way to Refuge for the morning session.

Kristan Stanfill and band lead in worship this morning. We started off by singing "Oh Happy Day" the way it was meant to be sung. It was great to sing it and mean it! What an awesome morning to come into God's presence. His Spirit was thick in the room and that was refreshing. Randy Hall came up next to speak and challenged us to redifine student ministry as simply "Helping students become like Christ." Then the second part of his definition was "By leaders becoming like Christ." Simply, yet profound. And in reality that's the goal. I've always heard it said and strive to live by, "Follow me as I follow Christ."

No trip to Bham is complete without a visit to Milos. Milos is hard to put into words, other than saying, "Everybody goes to Milos." Everyone reading will know my love for Sonny's sweet tea. In fact I attribute most of what hangs around my waist to Sonny's sweet tea. Don't burn me at the stake for heresy, but Sonny's sweet tea can't even hang with Milos' sweet tea. I think Milos invented sweet tea. Milos sweet tea will be in heaven. Great cheesburger and the famous fries to go with it... what a great lunch.

After lunch I swung by both my alma maters, Samford and Beeson Divinity. Man, I felt old walking around there. I got to catch up with a former student that just graduated and is a freshman and SU and that was fun. Alot has changed on campus. I spent some good quiet time at Beeson... good time in the Word, polished up my sermon for tomorrow night and worked on material for the SLT retreat this weekend. Slow paced for a day - what a relief.

After that I was able to hit the pavement on one of my favorite running greenways. I typically have a pretty rushed 3 mile run each morning, but today I was able to have about an hour for a 6 mile run. Maybe I shouldn't have picked the hottest part of the day, but I didn't have much of a choice. But it was great to get out and enjoy the beauty of God's creation and enjoy a Driscoll sermon on my iPod. The run was great and my legs feel good, but I'm betting the morning will be a different story.

I about to head out a grab some dinner and then back for the last Refuge session. Can't wait to hear Dr. David Platt tonight. The guy knows, loves and brings God's Word. I'm praying God has a word for me tonight.

Unfortunately I've got to make the drive back tonight. That means 5 hours are ahead of me starting about 10 CST/11 EST. Looks like I'll be pulling back into Tally around 4 am. Not so excited about that.

God knew what I needed by providing my this rest, renewal and place of refuge. He is so amazing to call me away and renew my spirit.

A place of Refuge

Tonight was a bit of a homecoming for me. I've traveled 5 hours up to Birmingham, Alabama for Refuge '08... a retreat, rest and renewal for student pastors. I come to Bham pretty often to see Brooke's family, but somehow traveling alone brought back alot of memories and a good feeling as I drove in this afternoon. I guess all in all I spent about 10 years of life, college, seminary and ministry here in Bham.

I knew it was going to be a great evening when Ponzee (one of my former students and interns) wanted to grab some Dreamland for dinner. I opened the door to a smell that was almost heavenly. Full slab of ribs, white bread and sweet tea. Pretty sure all 3 of those will be in heaven. But while here on earth and especially in Bham, Dreamland is a must visit. What a great start to my trip.

Headed over to Brook Hills for Refuge after dinner. And by heading over I mean 280. That won't mean anything to you unless you know Bham. I don't miss 280. Bumper to bumper and they keep building new stores along the way... as if 280 needs more people driving on it.

Awesome to be back a Brook Hills. I spend a good many Saturday nights there for Saturday worship while living in Birmingham. It was always great to go to a church and be able to worship in a place where I wasn't on staff and didn't have responsibilities or keys to the building.

Refuge started out with Chris Tomlin leading in worship. The sound that followed was incredible. Over 1000 student pastors lifting up praise to a holy God. I hadn't become that emotional in worship since being in Nicaragua earlier this summer. It was such a blessing to sing with people of like mind for the Kingdom and a passion for the worship of God Almighty. Tomlin introduced "Jesus Messiah" from his new CD. Powerful song.


Louie Giglio was up next with the Word. He said something that I'm still processing. When talking about our role as pastors in the Kingdom he said, "It's amazing that we aren't necessary but we are invited." The idea was that God in no way needs us but rather chooses to invite us into the work that He is doing... the work of the Kingdom. Giglio went on to share out of Colossians 2 and 2 Corinthians 5 about grace. It was so refreshing to hear the word and feel the grace of God pour over my heart. "I can't". That had to sink in. "I can't, but He can." "Christ IN us - the hope of glory."

I thank God for giving me this opportunity for rest and renewal. I wish it was longer, but I'm waiting in anxious anticipation to hear what He has for me and to spend some time seeking refuge in Him!