Well…Until I ___ Until We____

Ever hear that? It’s a five letter word that can kill. It can be the resting place for complacncy, fear, indecision or lack of vision. We use "until" to excuse ourselves from taking action or following through.

Unfortunately, "until" never arrives for many. We keep changing Continue Reading…

A True Friend

That is more valuable than gold if you have one! Real friendship seems to be a rare commodity these days. People seem to value convient connection over real relationship.

Being a true friend takes… Continue Reading…

Just saw this! Holy Crap, I wanna be like this guy!

Anyone can fall morally

If you think that’s… "something you could NEVER do"  then you are one of those most vulnerable. We have to face the fact we live in a fallen world, and in the wrong place at the wrong time with the right person, we all could make a HUGE mistake.

So here’s the deal. Don’t go there! Set up predetermined boundaries that will allow you to "tap the brakes" before it’s to late.

Some good boundary ideas could be like…

• Other than your spouse, never be alone with someone of the opposite sex.
• Let your spouse read all electronic communications, E-mail, Facebook, Twitter and Texts
• If you are deleting Text msgs…Why? (Smells like trouble)
• Give a friend the password to your accounts, knowing they will check them
• Don’t take a second look! 3-second rule, then don’t look again.
• If you feel your spouse isn’t meeting a need…COMMUNICATE!
• If  a non-spouse says or does something that "attracts you" never speak with that person alone.
• Understand the needs of your spouse ("His needs Her needs" book is a good place to start) and be willing to change and adapt to meet them
• Talk with your spouse DAILY about things that are going on, and how you feel about things
• The above can be exhausting at times, but stick with it. You won’t be sorry

These are just a few, care to add any to the list?

If you stay in ministry long, you will won’t to give up. You will experience a few, some or all or a combination of the following:

• Rejection
• Betrayal
• Burn Out
• Depression
• Feeling Overwhelmed
• Lost Passion
• Confusion
• Loss of Authority
• Family stress
• Moral failure Continue Reading…

When people  see me…

What do they see?

I ask myself that question a lot, but I’m not sure if I’m the one to answer it, or even if I could get an honest answer from others. I know what I want them to see, and what I’m passionate about. Continue Reading…

I am 50 years old Today

This is one of those days you always teased others about and for some reason never thought you would reach it yourself. It certainly is a milestone; it changes your mind and perception of things, at least it has for me. I have been thinking about this for a while now, and have reflected on it often. Here are a few of those thoughts…

• I value family & friends more

• I feel an urgency to "Give away" vision & passion

• I want to invest in "Next Generation" leaders more

• I want my life to really matter

• I want my friends & family to know how much I love them

• I want to see many people loved into the Kingdom

• I want to love & encourage other leaders

• I want to love the unloveable

• I want to be involved in planting 1000′s of churches

• I want to be a catalyst for diversity in the church

• I want to plant churches on several continents

• I want to write 3 books over the next 3 years

• I want to see my kids and grandkids do great Kingdom stuff

• I want to live each day as my last

• I want to stay healthy and strong so I can finish the race

• I want to be remembered as a man that first and foremost. Loved people

• I want to be genuine and transparent and give others permission to do the same

I could keep going, but these are the ones closest to my heart right now. Would you add any?

This is a post written by my youngest daughter (Leah). She is a prolific writer, loves everyone, and leads many to Christ. She is a true "Disciple Maker" and makes her daddy proud!

This week is going to be special to me.

My dad is celebrating his 50th birthday and as my hero, he deserves his props….

Daddy,

I’ve wanted to be like you ever since I was a wee one

It used to be a lot easier to be like you because as a 4 year old I could just slip on your huge shoes and copy everything you said. Now, I realize the shoes I have to fill are actually much bigger than I thought. If I ever want an example of what love looks like, I look at you. If I’ve ever been curious as to how to lead people in kindness, I just copy you. When I get tired and need to be reminded of what passion for Jesus looks like at its best, I call you from college and hear you talk about the mountains God has been moving because of your faithfulness.

I don’t just think you’re a hero because you’re my daddy

I know you’re a hero because countless people have been changed through you. I really do hope I’m growing up to be like you daddy. I want to be courageous and bold. I want to be kind and gentle to everyone. I want to be a peacemaker. And most of all I want to be a person of genuine love, thank you for giving me the chance to see that lived out.

I love you! Leah

If a Christian Leader openly talks Politics

If they talk about specific people, parties and divisive issues in the political arena, they will undermine their Kingdom impact. Yeah I know, some feel we must speak to these issues and if we don’t who will be the "Christian voice" on important topics.

This is the deal. Those that are in the political field and  in the Kingdom, let them speak to the Kingdom Continue Reading…

Church Planting is the fastest way to spread the Gospel

As the church fully engages in its mission to make disciples the formation of new churches will be a natural product of the Kingdom expansion. Now I’m not trying to promote any one school of planting…Just that a new plant would come out of the harvest, and not in transfer growth.

Church Planting is a Must

What promoted this blog is an email I received today from a man who feels called to plant a church, but his pastor says if he does he "isn’t a true minister." What? Are you serious right now? Why would a pastor be against church planting? I can guess…Spiritual ignorance. A lack of knowing and feeling the weight of the great command to "Go and make followers of all people."

Church Planting needs to be Accelerated

Quite simply, this is my challenge…Are you or will you engage directly or partner with another who is actively planting a church(es)? This is primarily a corporate call, but an individual one as well. Each person and every community of believers must carry the weight to "Go and make followers."

How are you actively obeying the command… "Go and make disciples?"

How many have you "made?"

What is your next step?