Thankfully, I have everything to lose

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What? Is he serious? He just wrote twice on having nothing to prove and now he says he is happy about having everything to lose?!?!

You might be wondering why you still read this confusing blog, but hang with me.

In Philippians 3 Paul shares with us the the priceless value of knowing Jesus. He briefly describes how radical he was at being the best in his field. It consumed him and he was rapidly making his way to the highest mountain with the other best of the bests. But then something shifted, not just any shift but an epoch shift. A shift that changed everything and not just for him but this shift has impacted billions.

Paul found something worth more than what he had given his life’s effort to. He encountered Jesus and he was transformed. Paul’s journey was most likely not like your journey or mine. We have most likely have never been a part of murdering another with rocks, been beaten by Roman guards, or dined with Kings. But Paul had and still despite all he had experienced in life all of it was worth nothing if he couldn’t know Jesus today.

For me it is much less dramatic and likely won’t be made into a movie. What am I giving up so I can know Jesus today? A the current moment a stable income, family that is closer than 1000 miles, and ESPN just to name a few. But like Paul, I can confidently say I count it all as garbage compared to knowing Jesus today.

No my family is not garbage. No having a stable income does not make you less Godly. No having ESPN is not a sin. But they are all part of the costs that I have had to count. We all have to count the cost and determine if following Jesus is worth it. For those that have counted the cost and concluded that Jesus is worth it will not be disappointed by that choice. But it is not an easy choice to make, at first.

But when we stop and take a valid inventory of our existence will all that we have done or experienced even compare to knowing the true character of Jesus? The answer is really simple. Jesus is worth anything you might have to leave behind and the reward is far more valuable. At the end of all things what will really matter is did you say yes to him.

So, what will it be? Yes or no?

Nothing to prove (part 2)

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In less than one week I will be in the middle of a dream come true. This is a fact. For a decade I have been watching my heroes take off for more than a week and congregate to worship Jesus.  For a decade I have wanted to be a part. Finally the day is approaching when a dream of mine will be a reality.

I’m gonna go James Bond on you and not tell you what this conference is called. I have to be all secret agent because some of the people coming serve Daddy in places that people would hurt them for doing this. Thus, no further explanation needed. Also no further explanation needed as to why these people are my heroes.

But if I am honest, going any sooner than we are would have cheapened the experience. You see I used to have a case of “white knight syndrome” and it made my thinking very fuzzy. WKS is when something is placed at the pinnacle and we convince ourselves if we reach it we will have “made it”. It sounds laughable when you read it but if you search your heart you will no doubt find some white knights in there.

My case of WKS centered around obtaining the ever elusive title of missionary (church planter for you emerging church folks). If I could only reach that pinnacle then I would have pleased God and proven myself worthy to all who invested in me or fill in your _____.  I was searching for worth and I hadn’t yet realized where to ultimately find that worth. There is nothing wrong with planting churches, in fact it is what I do and what I want to be involved with the rest of my life. But having that be what defines me is misguided.

If I would have walked into the last gathering 2 years ago I would have been overwhelmed by comparison (I would have also likely got the counseling needed). But God in his graciousness slowed my process down by about 6 years. I can now confidently say I know who I am and it is not like anyone else there. I may not know what is around the corner for me and my family. But I know who I am and I know who is with me and that is enough.

As Jimmy Seibert, the father of the movement we are united to often says, “You don’t change the world by being like someone else.” I am not going into this time trying to be like those who have had great fruit. Yes I want to learn from them but I want to reflect the image of God in me as I learn.

So what is the point of this rambling? You are in a process and it is good. You carry a unique piece of God’s image that the world needs. You have value and are worth so much. You need heroes and they are likely people closer to you than you think. And you need to always be a learner.

As for me I walk into this dream surrounded by many of my heroes with nothing to prove.

Nothing to prove

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Yesterday I had coffee with a friend who said something very profound. See my friend is competing in a 70.3 Ironman one week from today. While I am sure many of us know someone who has done an Ironman I doubt you know anyone like my friend.

Two years ago the thought that my friend would be competing in an Ironman would have been considered a hurtful joke. In all actuality he was more likely to be in a hot dog eating contest. Two years ago my friend was nearly 500 pounds (pause to let that sink in). He is now about my size (sub 200) and on the verge of being a sponsored athlete. But this post is not about his turn around or his athletic ability, it is about what he said.

He has been asked recently by his teammates if he will be going for the 140.6 Ironman next year. I love his response and it has had my head spinning since being with him. All he says is that he has nothing to prove. He is right because he has already accomplished so much, but for more of a reason than that. He has nothing to prove because he knows who he is.

The same can be true for you and me if we learn who Jesus says we are. In our process of learning to see ourselves as heaven sees us we all work to prove ourselves to others. Some prove they are successful by having an expensive car (the one everyone knows cost crazy money). Some prove themselves by showing how “simply” they live, when actually they are frightened of having more than enough. Some prove themselves by displaying the image that their family has it all together.

For me I find myself trying to prove myself too. I can find myself trying to sound uber spiritual or by dressing my version of cool to show that I am hip. But as I read this morning from Romans 8 all of that proving myself leaves me anxious and more insecure.

So what do I do when I catch myself in this trap? For me it is simple, I go back to home base. For me home base is Matthew 16 & Psalm 16. Those passages are places God had stamped me with identity. When I go back to them my true self is awakened again and I live with nothing to prove.

Where is your home base? If you know then go there again today and be reminded of who you are. If you don’t know where home base is then don’t be worried. Simply ask God to show you how he sees you and wait. I promise he desires to encourage you more than you even want it.

 

Micah got baptized!!!

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What a glorious day! While on our mission trip to Tijuana, Mexico Micah along with 5 others from our group got baptized. What an honor it was to be the one to baptize him. Thank you Jesus for a son who will seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with his God all the days of his life.

Peace

Testimonies from Mexico Mission Trip

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Thank you, thank you, thank you for praying for us while we were in Tijuana, Mexico sharing the love of Jesus. God was with us and we got to see him move in people’s hearts and lives. We hope you enjoy these brief testimonies and that you faith in Jesus is stirred.

Peace

Tijuana, Mexico trip and other prayer needs

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Next week we are headed to Tijuana, Mexico with nearly 70 people for ACC:Wheaton to share the love of Jesus. Micah & Gavin will be going with us so we would really value your prayers.

Keep praying for our support raising process. We are excited about where God has us & confident he will do all he has promised. And believe with us for a new Macbook for Chris as he currently doesn’t have a computer.

Peace