Book Review: Living Life in the Zone

Totally geared towards the man who has an interest in sports, this devotional scores big as a great spiritual tool. Simple concepts on marriage, fathering, and more, Living Life in the Zone is a definite winner and I recommend this for a daily devo for men who want to grow in their walk with God.

Thinking Greater

What does it mean to think greater? I'm currently reading the new advance release of Steven Furtick's forthcoming book "Greater". The amazing thing about God is I have been struggling with the thoughts of what does God have in store for me and my life, family, ministry....that is greater?
I'm in the middle of reading and can only tell you that God is speaking to me on two things already.
Expectation and anticipation. What am I anticipating from God of how He wants me to see the dreams He has for me? What is my expectation level for it? Am I paying attention?
I will be blogging over the next few weeks specifically about the new release ....stay tuned my friends.

D

Time to slow down?

What exactly is going on with our society here in the US? I know that's a big question. But seriously I refer to this incredible "fill your schedule to breaking and act like you are accomplishing anything" mentality. In fact all we do is fool ourselves into thinking that we have any effectiveness. I realize that we are to do everything as unto the Lord. But, I'm not referring to your commitment level. Not at all. This isn't about hard work for your employer or volunteering for your favorite charity or church. I mean our mind set.
It's a pretty empowering thing when you feel like you make a difference in this world. And not refocusing on what's really important is part of the problem when we falter in this.
Slow down ...what is really important that you are missing out on? Your time with your kids ...dads??
What about time spent with God ...seeking His direction?
Make a list. What's really important? What isn't?
 If you write it down you might be surprised what you need to let go of. Ask God to show you ...He after all knows better than we do now doesn't He?

A New Beginning ...

Seems that no matter what we go through we learn don't we? It's no secret that I've walked a path of triumph and loss. It's through this that we develop the strength to get back up. I'm not invinsible nor easily defeated. I'm also not arrogant to think that I can't learn and move into the next step God has for me.
Life, it's made up of seasons or chapters really. Each can be horrific or magnificent. Life giving or disastrous. It's what makes up the human condition. It's what makes us who we are. I'm a dad, a son, a friend, and with God's help, a good man. Oh and as you can see lil bit of a romantic.
My close friends and family know the path I've walked. None of it a cakewalk.
Well, pages turn and a new chapter is beginning. Ms. Heather who is such a light in a dark world ...and my second chance, said yes ...
Yes... when I asked her to become my wife. This journey and adventure is just beginning! I love you Heather. I'm honored and blessed. God's faithfulness and grace is overwhelming.

I don't deserve His unmerited favor ...no one does. But, I'm truly thankful and pray that my children see in me determination and an unflinching grasp of "always hope".

Christmas, and why I'm so darn sentimental

I realized this week just how much I love Christmas. I was singing out loud in my truck carols. Really?
Yep I love Christmas. I love the smells, music, decorations....all of it.
But, most of all I love when I see my kids excited about all that too. Seems we too often as adults lose the magic. Caught up in all the gift buying and worrying about the money.
So how about this? Take a minute and remember what you felt as a kid about Christmas....just pause and take a breath. I want my kids to know that the spirit behind the giving is remembering what God did for us many centuries ago.
It's easy to lose sight of the purpose, what with all the "war on Christmas" rhetoric.
After the deep breath determine a new memory to make this year with your family. It's what they remember long after the toys are old news anyway.

In the very journey I find my destiny

     The Holidays bring many things. Delicious food, wonderful sentiments, and time with loved ones. I'm a hopeless romantic at this time of year.
But, for me the last couple years it's brought something else. Questions and comments from former and current family. So as to not be surprised already this year I've found myself pondering on a comment made this weekend. Someone said "you've really held things together Dave". I gave my usual "thanks, I just did what I needed to do" answer. But all day and night I thought...and thought ...and realized this one thing, I can take no credit for "keeping myself together". Truthfully, I am no different than many dad's I've met who are much, much more heroic than me.

    You see, I was just like many. A "Christian Judgmentalist". You know them ...maybe you're one and won't admit to it. I'd see a guy who had a failing marriage and I'd think "what's wrong with him?" or "he's such a bad leader he can't even keep his family together". I judged. I scoffed. I never considered perhaps he was in a great spiritual battle ...and losing. And having his very soul crushed. Nope, I judged him as a loser and a failure. A failure to his departing wife, a failure to his children.

   Then it happened, I was that man.
 Utterly devastated, deeply wounded, feelings of betrayal, and abandonment came to live in my head.
My world was spinning ...I was faced with the greatest fear of failure...for my kids...and my future.
I certainly didn't "feel" like I was very together. No, I felt destroyed.

   So back to the statement "you've really kept it together" ....
No I didn't... HE did. I knew that only pressing on holding God's hand would get me beyond the hurricane. I'm not trying to over spiritualize here, but reality is reality.
Like a paratrooper dropped into Mordor I had to walk ...and walk ...and forgive. Ignore the lies being said about me, walk and walk. Ignore the selfish decisions of another and walk and walk.
I knew if I didn't I would drown in the pain. I would never be able to fight my way back from the dead if I stopped walking. My children needed that stability ...and I cried to God to help me show them that.

    Now please understand. I am not perfect. I made mistakes and I have learned so much of who I am because of it. My God have I learned. My destiny is not wrapped up in the bad decisions of others. My destiny is laying in front of me. For in the very journey I find my destiny. It's in dreams not yet dreamed. It's in love not yet realized.

So I won't be a "Christian Judgmentalist" ever again. It's not my job. It hurts others.
It's my job to be the bearer of truth. For my kids and my loved ones.
To be the giver of grace to those that don't deserve it...because none of us do.
I've been called an oak and an example to other people to press forward. But please hear me,
His Grace is better than I knew it could be. His healing goes deeper than I thought it could. His Love doesn't lose...it wins ...ALWAYS.
    It's doesn't get easier, it gets simpler.

Class Notes Repost:

...here are my main points from the lecture:

Regarding using video in your sermons.

1. Brief and to the point is best.

2. Quality matters (both audio and video).

3. Don’t rely only on the video (things go wrong).

4. Just because you want a video to supplement doesn’t mean you should have one.

5. Video should never replace a sound sermon.

6. Be engaging not distracting.

Tell YOUR STORY!

Nothing relates the message of the Gospel better than personal stories. The Bible is full of such examples.

“A generation ago the question was, “What is truth?” Today, the question is, “What’s the point?” -Billy Graham

Relating to the community on a level that matters to them is paramount to reaching a generation that is increasingly disinterested in all things church related.