Empty Bookshelf #5 : I Was Broke Now I'm Not

Title: I was Broke Now I'm Not

Author: Joseph Sangl

What It's About: Joseph is literally your "Average Joe" who got tired of getting in debt, getting out of debt, getting in debt, and getting out of debt again. This is Jo's story and advice of how he was able to get out of debt, stay out of debt, and is now helping others do the same.

Why Did I Read It: Realisticaly... we were hosting a video driven workshop by Jo that coencided with the book and I read it just to be able to better facilitate the workshops.

Favorite Idea:  The main premise of the book is that most people need a motivator to be able to get debt free and manage their money. Our dreams should be our motivator, because it takes money to fund those dreams. He encourages the reader to take control of their finances so that they can accomplish their dreams. So many people miss out on their dreams because they are unable to fund them, and they live with regrets.

Favorite Quote: He recommends getting a new insurance " quote" ever 2-3 years. (Pun intended) I have never considered doing that, and have pretty much been with the same company since I started driving. To be honest I don't know if I could  switch companies....well....because I don't have the 'cleanest' driving record. (Don't judge me...)

Opinion:There is not a lot of new information out there on getting out of debt. There are NO over night tricks or gimmicks. It boils down to having a plan and then staying committed to the plan.  This book wasn't unlike anything else I've read from Dave Ramsey or any other financial guru. It was a good quick read and good reminder.  HOWEVER the "wildly popular website"  IwasbrokeNowI'mnot.com is FULL of useful tools and articles tha are worth checking out. The budget spreadsheet is one of the best I've ever seen and definitely the easiest I've seen to follow.  I use it now.


...Didn't take a picture of my bookshelf...again because I've already given this one away....having a hard time getting my bookshelf full.

My 2014 Plans

2014 is a little over a month old and growing quickly into 2015. At the beginning of every year...every one sets resolutions and goals that they wish to announce to the world.

"This year I will........"

Reality is that by about March, most have given up on them and are planing to wait until the next year so they can start all over. To be honest I've never really been one to set a bunch of resolutions, if I have I didn't announce them. Too afraid of announcing my failure later on.

The last few weeks I have been contemplating what I'd like to accomplish this year. Most of the time when I set out to accomplish something I "usually get around to it". Sometimes it takes me longer than it should. Some say that's slow...I say it's steady. 

 There are a few things that I've put down that I want to accomplish this year...actually a couple of them I've set to accomplish before June. Then, by June, I plan to have a few more things I'd like to accomplish by December. So here goes my 2014 Plans.

1. Welcome our third daughter into this world. (No backing out of this one. It's as good as finished)
2. Read (at least) two books a month. - I go on reading spurts and droughts. I need to be more consistent and vary my reading. So I'm participating in a little challenge of Jon Acuff's called Empty Shelf Challenge. It's the second week of February and I'm already on my 4th book. I plan to start reviewing these books on here soon. This is also similar to Jon's reviews. What was the last inspiring book you read? 
3. Write at least two posts a month. - I used to write much more consistently.(I've mentioned that often too.) Since I am not speaking as much, I believe writing will be the best way to continue to improve and broaden my communication. Plus I plan to use #2 to help with content for posts.
4. Actually finish the 1 Year Bible Plan on YouVersion. - Last year I made it to about March, and was about 2 weeks behind when I gave up. I'm actually a couple of days ahead of schedule so far, and have already experienced so many scriptures in new light. I also plan to use #3 to reveal what I learn through this.
5. Get back in 5K shape AND finish at least one 5k under 29 minutes by June. - I'm tired of saying "I used to run"...but that motivation battles with what seems to be a stronger one..."I'm just tired." Seriously though, I miss the feeling I had after a good 90 minute run. Now I dread the feeling I have after a 90 second run. I'm not getting any younger and neither are my knees.
6. Watch at least ONE good movie a month. - I find myself not wanting to "commit" to going to a movie because I don't want to spend the money or spend the time it takes to watch a movie at home. Instead I drink more Starbucks or flip through channels looking for something "interesting" to watch. I'd love some recommendations for this. My Netflix cue could always use another movie.
7. Create and implement a better work/play schedule by June. - It's difficult to work hard when you're thinking about playing. It's also difficult to play hard when you're thinking about working. One of the reasons I think we all struggle to do this is we take "weekends"off. There is no mention of a weekend in scripture. There was A Sabbath  DAY. We were meant to work 6 and FULLY rest ONE. Most of don't fully work so we can't fully rest, we're in constant flux. This means I have to set schedules, create reminders, make lists, prioritize, set boundaries, and focus. All of these are things that I've learned are not in my spiritual gifting or personality strengths. I'll let you know how the progress goes and what I learn.

Well that's my 2014 plan so far.

What are some of your plans? I'd love to hear.

Fruit for Thought

What's your favorite fruit?  Odds are,  the fruit that you like is probably one of a seedless nature. Seedless grapes, cuties, halos, and even seedless watermelons are becoming more popular and prevalent. Personally I LOVE cuties for all the reasons they advertise them for kids; easy to peal, small, sweet, and seedless. Culture rejoices in the creation of our seedless fruit, but we are actually removing a portion of it's purpose when we remove its seed.

I've started the "Read the Bible in a Year" plan again. Last year, I got through about March and by that time I was so far behind it was overwhelming. I'm a bit ahead of the game already this year.This year I will finish! But in the first couple of days I read through some verses and saw something I'd forgotten.

Genesis 1:11-12Then God said, “Let the land sprout with vegetation—every sort of seed-bearing plant, and trees that grow seed-bearing fruit. These seeds will then produce the kinds of plants and trees from which they came.” And that is what happened. 12 The land produced vegetation—all sorts of seed-bearing plants, and trees with seed-bearing fruit. Their seeds produced plants and trees of the same kind. And God saw that it was good.

Did you catch the purpose of the Fruit Bearing Trees and Plants? The purpose of the Fruit Bearing Trees and Plants is to produce Seed Bearing Fruit. Even though the seed is an inconvenience to us, as we are enjoying our delicious grapes, grapes without seeds cannot reproduce themselves.            Fruit is not just meant to be enjoyed, but to eventually release a seed that produces new "Trees that produce Seed Bearing Fruit." It is what propagates future generations of trees and fruits of it's own kind. 

Now, stick with me a bit longer....

Just as various plants produce their specific fruit and are known for the fruit they produce. People are also known for the specific "fruit" in their lives. This fruit is not tangible-edible food, but our character and actions as result of our character. Jesus teaches on this a bit in the New Testament (Matthew 7:17-20)...click on the link and see what He said...then come right back

Still trackin' with me????

The kind of fruit you produce in your life determines the type of seeds that are eventually released to propagate who you are and what you have. That "bitter-sweet" fruit you enjoy from time to time...anger, greed, lust, pride, destruction....they all have seeds just waiting to be released and reproduce itself. All seeds have a germination period. Some lie dormant for days, weeks, months, or even years before they stick their head up out of the dirt. You may not see the effect immediately, it could be months or years. You will see "seedlings" begin to sprout up in the lives of those that are closest to you...your spouse, your children, your co-workers. Your actions are "Seed Bearing Fruit, and WILL reproduce after it's own kind." What are you reproducing? What will your orchard look like...your legacy be?

Stop what your doing right now and do a fruit inspection. Better yet... take another step and have someone you trust inspect your fruit. Better still ask God to show you the bitter fruit in your life that you need to deal with and cut those trees down.

Again and Again and Again

One thing that I have found that I don't do well... is getting back up. I find that once I stop doing something, for whatever reason, even if I did it well and consistently, it is hard to start back up.  I think it's called falling off the wagon. I know you've never experienced this...you may know someone who has though.I've been wrestling with this a lot lately.

From January 2007 until about April 2010, I posted on here at least 2 or 3 times a month. Now, it's been 7 months since my last post.  I even let my domain expire. What used to be findingmoore.com is now findingmoore.NET. I spent a year running 4 or 5 days a week. I ran two 5ks and a half marathon. I registered for a second half marathon but didn't run it.  I bet I couldn't run a mile without stopping now. I set a goal of reading 2 books a month this year. So far I've read 6...at least it's one a month.

I could give you several excuses that I've used for each one at some point. You pick one.

1. Life got busy.
2. We had our second child. (She's 3 now.)
3. We've been going through ministry transition .... for the last 3 years.
4. We bought our first house and moved...an hour and half away from family and long time friends.
5. My dad has cancer and it sucks.
6. I need a new pair of running shoes.
7. I'm always tired.
8. There's other things I need to be doing.....on my phone..(cough)...I mean in the yard and around the house.
9. I'll just start back up tomorrow...or Monday.
10. TBA_________________

Don't act surprised. I bet you have made an excuse or two.

There are other areas I'm more consistent in I'm sure...but lately I've been haunted by these 3. I know they may not sound super spiritual but they are for me. We all have areas that we wish we could do better at and be more consistent and disciplined in. I've read the articles, listened to the podcasts and gotten advice from friends. But it all boils down to this one thing, when we fall of the wagon.

You HAVE to get BACK up .............................
..........................................................................Again
...................................................................................And AGAIN
......................................................................................................AND AGAIN
............................................................................................................................AND AGAIN

Whatever you're feeling guilty about slacking in, let's get back up together, and start ........AGAIN.

Proverbs 24:16 New Living Translation

The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. 
But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked

Evidence they can trust

Then the Lord said to Moses, " I will come to you in a thick cloud, Moses, so the people themselves can hear me when I speak with you. The they will always trust you." ~ Exodus 19:9

I have been chewing on this verse for about a week. And it has convicted me heavily on how I am listening and leading. People are looking for someone they can trust to lead them. But they have to have a reason to trust their leader.

For Moses it was the audible voice of  God in cloud of smoke. In addition to that, Moses was always obedient in telling the people what God had spoken to him in private...no matter how hard it was.  The people could visibly see the relationship between  God and Moses.

When it comes to Christian leaders, and within a church; people want to know that who is leading them is hearing from God.  As church leaders we need to have "visible evidence" within our life that God is speaking to us. That evidence is found in our words and actions. It is found when we are obedient in sharing with others what God has told us to. It is after we have exhibited that, over time, that people feel like they can trust us and follow us.


 Paul told the Church of Corinth that they should imitate him, as he imitates Christ. The only way they could do that was by seeing true evidence of Christ in his life

Don't try planting false evidence in  your life. You can fake it for a while, but eventually you'll get tired of planting the evidence. People will find the true evidence and it will either build a case AGAINST you or FOR you. They will doubt you or trust you.

The only way you can have the True Evidence that builds a case for you is to let God put it there.
God told Moses that he would provide the evidence that would cause the people to trust.  Moses just had to be there with God. We have to "be there",  spend that time with God. That is when they can see the Evidence of Him speaking to us and through us can be seen. Then they will trust us.

Fear-less

Everyone is afraid of something. If you say your are not afraid of anything, then you are afraid of being seen as weak. Although healthy fear of some things is actually good...like spiders and snakes. The one thing I am afraid of the most is deep water. You can't see whats down there and you don't know where the bottom is.

When I was younger I had to have tubes in my ears to drain fluid behind my ear drum. Because of that, for several years during my childhood, I couldn't get water in my ears. This prevented me from getting into a swimming pool until I was in 6th grade. Not being able to experience this caused a fear of the unknown.

I finally took swimming lessons in the 6th grade and loved being in the pool, BUT didn't like putting my face in the water and definitely not under water. The day came for us to move from the shallow end (3 feet deep) to the deep end (12 feet deep.) To get into the deep end we had to jump off the diving board to our instructor below. I climbed up onto the board, looked down, stood for a few moments, and then climbed back down. Even though I trusted  my  instructor, and ALL the other kids jumped. I wasn't jumping.

The weeks of lesson ended without me going into the deep end. The next summer I took the lessons again, and climbed off the board without visiting the deep end. For years I have watched my friends, do back flips, belly flops, and canon balls, but to this day I have yet to jump off a diving board  I will go into the deep end....if no one else is in the pool and I can stay close to the sides in the event something tries to get me.

Now, as a dad, I want my children to fear deep water less than I do.

This summer, our family took a vacation to Ft. Walton, FL. I love the beach, and I actually enjoy getting in the ocean....as long as I can stand up.  In an effort to remove their fear of water, I tried to take my girls into the ocean and the deeper end (5ft deep) of the pool.

What I found in the process is that my girls DID NOT enjoy it at first.  They wanted no part of it. In fact Ella would squeeze her arms around my neck, pin her legs around my waist and scream "NO DON"T TAKE ME." Most strangers probably thought I was weird guy kidnapping a child. My wife finally made me stop in embarrassment. The next day and a few tries later, I was eventually able to get Ella into the deeper end of the pool. She had to stay close to the edge and I had to stay close to her as well. But at least she went. I worked with Addison the same way. She got to the point that I didn't have to hold on to her. I let her go and float on her own...with the arm floaties that is. I will continue to do this every time we get in a pool, because I don't want them to miss out on the things, and wrestle with the insecurities I have about swimming and deep water.

Yesterday I heard Rick Warren say that we  have to move toward what we are afraid of in order to overcome that fear.  Mark Batterson says that overcoming a fear is much like a vaccine. We have to have a little bit of it at a time to build up our immunity to it.  Eventually that that you feared most you may actually come to enjoy.

To overcome a fear sometimes you will:

1. Need someone to push/pull you into an uncomfortable situation.
Naturally you will walk, run, and stay away from anything that you are afraid of. It will take someone to dare or challenge you to go deeper. My 6  and 2 year old would not go into the deep end by themselves. It took me pulling them there, even against their own will. Jesus has a tendency of putting people in our life to do that. He wants us to live the best life possible, and doing so means getting us out of our comfort zone.

2. Need to trust the people you are with.
Obviously as their father, there is a natural level of trust that my girls have with me. There needs to be a good level of trust had with the person who is pulling/pushing you to go deeper. In addition,we need to trust our Heavenly Father, knowing that he has us in His arms.

3. Need to keep facing that fear.
It may take facing that fear more than one time. A vaccine may take two or three rounds before it is complete. Fear has a way of creeping back up on us. Consistently going back into the deep end reminds us that it isn't as bad as what we thought and builds our knowledge base of the situation and what we can realistically expect..

Don't let a fear keep you content in the kiddy pool. I'm not.....one day I WILL jump of that diving board.

Moving Forward

Change is hard. The older we get, the harder it is for us to change. You may not admit it, because admitting it, is admitting a weakness. Take a minute and think about your life. What has changed within the last year? Did you initiate that change? Was it forced on you? Or did it just gradually happen? We get comfortable with where we are at in life. Routines are great and comfortable, but can prevent us from moving forward into the things we are supposed to accomplish.

Take another look at the 1st Generation of Israelite, (Numbers 13-14), they were unable to move forward into the Promise Land because they had gotten comfortable with being in the desert. They even had a longing to go back to Egypt because it didn't seem as bad as it once did. (Kind of like a desire to go back to your crazy ex-girlfriend because you have sort of forgotten how crazy she was after being away from her for a while.) As a result the First Generation of Israelites never entered the Promise Land.

They had found Freedom through following God out of slavery. They were afraid of moving forward into total Fulfillment because they would face a challenge in entering the Promise Land. They were content with just Surviving in the Desert, but God wanted them to Thrive in the Promise Land. If God has freed you through Salvation in Jesus Christ, are you wandering in your Freedom or are you living Fulfilled in what He is calling you to?

The Second Generation learned from their parents and grandparents and had a desire to move forward at any cost (Joshua 1-3). Once the First Generation had wandered to death, the Second Generation had their chance and this is their response:

"We will do whatever you command us, and we will go where you send us. We will obey you just as we obeyed Moses. And may the Lord your God be with you as He was with Moses. Anyone who rebels against your orders and does not obey your words and everything you command will be put to death." ~Joshua 1:16-18

From that day the Israelite continued to Move Forward into the Promise Land and received what God had wanted to give to the First Generation. I believe the Second Generation was able to Move Forward because:

1. They Looked Forward
Not once did they mention returning to Egypt or staying in the Wilderness. They wanted to move forward. When we are constantly looking back to where we were or down at where we are at, we cannot move forward. If we try, we will go off the path or injure ourselves. Your  past successes can hold you back as much as your failures. We keep trying to relive the glory days and become unable to move forward. That's why one hit wonders, only have one hit. Jesus says that a man who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is not fit for the Kingdom.  It's okay to glance back and around you to stay on course, but don't let it become your focal point. Are you looking ahead or do you keep looking back?

2. They didn't let the problem overshadow the Promise.
In order to enter the Promise Land the Second Generation had to cross the Jordan River at flood level. It was overflowing at the banks. God had told them to walk into the river and stop there, He would stop the river from flowing, and they would walk across on dry ground. They believed and proceeded. God promised the First Generation that He would give them the land. They saw the giants and cities of the land and were afraid to move forward. They allowed the problem to overshadow the promise. Is fear of the problem holding you back or is faith in God's promise propelling you forward?

3.)They trusted God with the first step even though they couldn't see it and it didn't make sense.
It doesn't make sense to walk into a river that is flooded. They couldn't see where they were stepping, and it's dangerous. The Second Generation trusted God's plan and took the first step. When they did the water stopped flowing, and He made their path across the river clear. They could see the next step and the next one. God could have stopped the river while they stood on the banks. But He wanted them to trust Him completely. Proverbs 3:5-6 challenges us to trust God more than ourselves and seek him in all that we do. When we do that He makes the path clear for us. What first step is God bringing you take? Trust Him and take it.

You may be free in your relationship with Jesus. God wants so much for you than that. He wants to move you into your Promise Land. But He will leave it up to you whether or not you Move Forward or Wander in the Wilderness.

Running for Life Pt 3: Discipline

1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Don't you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize?So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win the prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline  my body like an athlete training it to do what it should, Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.

The final thing that I have learned from running in my first 5k is that there were days leading up to the race that I DID NOT feel like running. When I first started running I struggled running for 60 seconds, so I had to get back in shape. To do that I decided to run 4 days a week. Our family's schedule is a little hectic in the evening and I want to spend as much time as possible with the kiddos before they go to bed. Because of this, I set my run times EARLY in the morning.

I would get up and run around 6:15am four days a week and several days I DID NOT want to get up. Especially as the mornings got darker darker and colder. Honestly the first 10 minutes were horrible.  I hated it. I had to make my body and mind come into agreement with my purpose of running 3.1 miles. I had to DISCIPLINE myself to get out of bed, especially on Saturday mornings. If I had the not, I would not have been able to run the race, I would have had to walk/run it.

I touched on the subject of Discipline in a previous post. But what I found is that there are periods, after you set a goal and set your directions, that you are going to want to "take a break". You will try to convince yourself that you deserve the break with all kinds of excuses.

It's too early.
It's too late.
I don't have time right now.
I'll do it later.
I've been doing really good so far.
This is too difficult.

One excuse can lead to another one, then another, and then another. Finally, we are no longer pursuing the finish line. You have to make yourself do what you are supposed to do in order to cross that finish line. If you don't, you are disqualifying yourself from the race and you will loose. Once you've been disqualified, in order to cross the finish line, you may have to go back the starting line. Then thought of having to start all over can lead to complete surrender and  giving up.

Whatever goal you've set, or finish line you defined in your life. You're not always going to feel like training and making the preparations for your race. Do whatever it takes to make sure you can cross it. If not you'll wind up discouraged and starting over or dropping out. Set the alarm, disable the snooze, get up, and run!

Running for Life Pt 2: Direction

1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Don't you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize?So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win the prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline  my body like an athlete training it to do what it should, Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.

What would a race look like if everyone was going in different directions? What if those in the race were not running in the direction of the finish line? What if they ran in the opposite direction? Odds are they would have a hard time reaching the finish line if at all.

In a race the path to the finish line is marked with signs and markers letting you know where you are, where to turn, and even how far you have gone. The night before my first 5K I was given a map of the course that showed the start and finish lines, the direction I was to run, and where the turns were. As I was running each mile was marked, each turn was marked, and there were even folks on the side line encouraging us and pointing us in the right direction. I knew I wanted to cross the finish line in a certain time, I had my purpose, but before the race started I also knew how I was going to get there.

Go Commando 5k Clarksville, TN

It doesn't matter how clear and precisely marked your finish line or purpose is, if your course is not set and you don't have a clear direction on how you are going to get there...you will have a hard time crossing your finish line if at all. You will struggle in accomplishing your goal. Take some times before the starting gun sounds and mark out your course. Set each step. Clearly mark your turns. Where will your uphill climbs and down hill coasts be? Don't just choose the shortest distance either. Just because it's quicker doesn't mean it's the best way either. Make sure you have people in your life at the right places cheering you on pointing you in the right direction. Don't get distracted by the scenery or try to take shortcuts. Make sure you stay on the right path until reach the end. 

Running for Life Pt 1 - Purpose

1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Don't you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize?SO RUN TO WIN! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win the prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with PURPOSE in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline  my body like an athlete training it to do what it should, Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.

I've been chewing on this verse for a couple of months now. Partly because I have started running (believe it or not.) Seven weeks ago I began a C25K (couch to a 5k) program in order to run my first 5k in honor of a fraternity brother who passed away. And on October 15th I completed my first 5k with a time of 28:16, almost 2 minutes under my goal time.

In times past I have made fun of people who run for fun or exercise. My thought was that running is something you do when you are being chased. However, many times I tried to start running to get in shape and many times I failed after a couple of days. I even bought a  pair of running shoes and wore them twice until recently. I also bought a tiny mp3 player to  entertain me as I ran. It was used mostly in our cars.

The primary reason I failed all of those times, is because I had no clear purpose for my running. Sure I wanted to get in shape, but there was no set goal I wanted to reach. The above scripture said that a runner runs to win and each step is made with a purpose. My earlier purpose of "get in shape" was vague and shallow. There was no finish line to cross. That is why I never followed through.

My current obsession with running is attributed to my decision to run a 5k in honor of a friend. I wanted to run it, not walk it, or even run/walk it. I didn't want to just complete it, wanted to run it in at least 30 minutes. I set my "win" and with that came the purpose for each step I ran. The goal was concise, precise, and attainable. Something I could work toward and there would be a finish line I would cross.

I crossed that finish line and I'm still running. I'm running in another 5k in a few weeks and I'm planning on running a 10k in the summer. I'm still running because I have set another finish line to improve my time and increase my distance. I've also found that I REALLY enjoy running.

I don't think anyone would complete a race or even run in one if there wasn't a finish line. Most of our incompletes in life or even failures are due to a lack of finish lines. Is your purpose clear? What are you wanting to accomplish? What are you wanting to achieve? Why are you running? Did you reach that mark and then stop? Are you tired of nothing changing in life and always giving up? Is it financial, relational, physical, or spiritual? Find a finish line. If you don't see one, set one. Once you reach that goal, set another one that will take you to the next level. Run to win!

The D word

1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Don't you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are DISCIPLINED in their training. They do it to win the prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with PURPOSE in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I DISCIPLINE  my body like an athlete training it to DO WHAT IT SHOULD. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.

I am the MAN of the house, the parent of the house, and I have a responsibility to discipline my daughters in ways that benefit and protects them... I've known this would be the case since before Ella  was born.

But another reality has made itself very clear recently.(AGAIN) I am also responsible for disciplining MYSELF as well. Not in a way that keeps me out of trouble and out of jail. But in a way that helps me be and do the best I can in a few areas of life. Those areas being...

Finances - Exercise - Eating Habits - Time on Technology - Hours of Sleep - Reading - Writing - Prayer

That may not seem like much....but those things are HUGE portions in my life.

I would easily say that lack of financial discipline is the reason for our nations economic problem (at the political and individual level.) The obesity problem in our country is due mostly to a lack of discipline to push away from the table and declining to take a walk (Not including real genetic and medical issues.)  Our lack of productivity is due to staying up all night and then staying distracted by twitter, facebook, youtube, and random blogs (like this one.)

The point is this...the things that we SHOULD be doing have been replaced by things we WANT to be doing. And  just because we want to do something doesn't mean that it is the best thing for us. In fact the things we SHOULD be doing are some of the hardest to do. We have to discipline ourselves to do them.

What do you know you should be doing, but aren't. Stop feeling guilty for not doing it. Make the decision to do it and then just do it. That is the only way it is going to happen. You don't have to read another book, get another idea,  or find a better or easier way to do it. Just start where you are and do what you know to do. Right now.

If you knew...

I was just listening to a podcast of one of my spiritual mentors...and wow. He just revealed a nugget of truth I had never thought about and just pass over.

One of the greatest hurts we face as leaders, pastors, or just people is betrayal by someone we are in relationship with, someone we care about. For whatever reason a relationship breaks down because of a lie, deception, or disagreement, and we feel betrayed. We feel stabbed in the back as the saying goes.

How do you  normally respond in that situation? Like most we put up walls, we retaliate, or we go into hiding. Usually anything to deal with the pain and possibly try to punish the person. Now let me ask you this. What would you do "If you knew someone was going to betray you?" How would you respond?

Would you jump ahead and hurt them first? Would you confront them with the information? Would you avoid them all together trying to prevent the betrayal? Any one of those things would be part of our human nature to respond.

But this is what Perry Noble pointed out Jesus did in John 13.

I've read and taught John 13 dozens of times from the angle of humbling yourself and serving others. But totally missed that Jesus was also serving the one who would betray him...AND He already knew Judas was going to betray Him.

v2. It was time for supper, and the devil had already prompted Judas to betray Jesus. v3. Jesus knew that the Father had given Him authority over everything and that He had come from God and would return to God. SO He got up from the table, took off His robe, wrapped a towel around Him and poured water into a basin. Then He began to wash the disciples feet....

Where it says he began to wash the disciples feet....that includes Judas. Judas, the one who sold Jesus out! Jesus didn't exclude him. In the SAME chapter Judas leaves to betray Jesus.

1. Jesus knew Judas was going to betray Him
2. Jesus knew He had been given authority over everything. He could have used that authority to prevent the betrayal or correct Judas in front of the other disciples.....or just take Judas out all together.
3. Jesus knew all this SO He got up from the table and washed their feet. It was because He knew these things that He did what He did AND included Judas in the experience.

Jesus was walking out what He was talking about in Matthew 5:43-48 and Luke 6:27-35.

The truth is this...people are going to betray you at times. But that does not exclude them from our love. I bet if we lived this way the betrayal would have a lot less power over lives.

SO knowing this.......serve/love the one who hurt you this week.

R&R of the Sabbath

The Sabbath is a day (historically the 7th day) of the week where no work is done. It is a day of rest created for us and patterned after the 7th day of rest in creation. Of the Ten Commandments God spends more time talking about the 5th one more than any other commandments. Don't believe me count the verses. We have come to observe this weekly holiday less and less over the years as cultures pace of life, desire for success, and fear of lack has grown more and more.

As I've read through Exodus over the past week or so and I've noticed how much God informs, illustrates, and reminds His people about the importance and benefits of observing a Sabbath. God urges His people 6 times alone in Exodus to take this day off. It seems that observing a set Sabbath, not just a random day whenever you want, and benefits us more than just rest.

1. REST 
This is the most obvious and stated benefit. Taking a day off gives our minds and bodies a rest from the week's work and recharges us for the days to follow. It reminds us that we are human and have limits. A day of rest prevents us from pushing past those limits causing fatigue, burnout, and illness.  Stress, high blood pressure, heart attacks, depression, anxiety, worry and other physical and emotional illnesses would probably subside if we took more time to enjoy the day God has given us to enjoy Him. If God being all powerful even took a day off, by not doing it ourselves we are placing our abilities and capabilities above His.

2. RELIANCE and RESPONSIBILITY
This is a new one for me. Having to take a day off causes us to rely more on God's provision and be more responsible in preparing for that time off. In Exodus 16 God provides Manna for the Israelites to eat. He told them to gather only what they needed for each day. Then on the 6th day they were to gather twice as much and set aside a portion for the next day. The 7th day would be a day of rest. If they failed to be responsible and make provisions they would not eat on the Sabbath. In Exodus 23 God goes even further, taking the Sabbath beyond a day observance to a whole year. During the 7th year there was to be no cultivating, planting, or harvesting of the fields. Over the first six years the Israelites would have to plan for year seven in addition to year eight. Year eight could prove to be more difficult than year seven because there would have been no harvest from the previous year. So the people would have to rely on God's provision and be responsible enough with it to sustain through years seven and eight.  This would mean no over indulging and self discipline at working to save in the years leading up to the Sabbath year. Always working can be a result of NOT relying on God's provision and NOT being responsible with what he's given us so we are unable to enjoy the day off.

Now look at our life and culture today. We are tired, sick, lacking, and wanting more. We work over to get more done, make up for what we haven't done, and to get more than we need. So we rarely take a consistent day of rest. It becomes a viscous cycle.  And for me I feel super guilty for taking those days when they happen. I feel like a failure for not "accomplishing" anything on those days. As a result I rarely take them.


How would our life be different if we made sure that we observed a Sabbath? What if we took one day EVERY WEEK and said, "I'm staying in my PJ's all day."?  What if we fully relied on God's provision and were responsible with it; using what we needed just for today and preserving some for the future?  What if we disciplined ourselves to finish as much as possible the first six days and did nothing on the seventh. We would be healthier and without want. The Sabbath wasn't just set up as law for us to follow but to enjoy. So pick a day to stay in your PJ's all day, finish your to do list, make plans to have what you need for that day and enjoy a guiltless work free day of rest.

Now What?!

Christmas is over! The presents that crowded the base of the tree are now with their rightful owners. The Christmas parties and programs have come to an end. We've sang carols and hymns. We've dined on feasts and finished left the leftovers. Pretty soon all the decoration will come down and go back in storage for the next eleven months. To me the feeling is a bit like blowing up giant balloon with the anticipation and preparation of Christmas....and the day after is a bit like letting that balloon go and watching all the hot air jet out of it.

Christians are super adamant about keeping CHRIST in CHRISTmas during the holiday season. There are numerous Facebook posts, yard signs, and comments about the birth of Christ, Happy Birthday Jesus; On this night a Savior was born; We say Merry CHRISTmas. But what about the rest of the year? Does our faith follow the path of the holiday season and deflate like a released balloon. How can we continue the Christmas Spirit? How do we allow the finding and meeting of Jesus influence us the rest of the year?

1. Allow God to change our direction - Matthew 2:12
After seeing and worshiping Jesus, the wise men were unable to go back home the way they came. They had to go back a different way than they had arrived. God had changed their direction. There is something about meeting Jesus face to face for the first time that changes us. And if you haven't changed directions then you haven't REALLY met Him. This just isn't a one time thing. Once we meet AND follow Christ - He is constantly changing our ways to match His. Are you allowing Him to change your direction or are you still trying to go about life as you always have?

2. Fill your Heart and Meditate =- Luke 2:19
After giving birth to Jesus and listening to the shepherds, Luke says that Mary KEPT all these things in her heart and thought about them often. These thoughts would one day become a treasury that would sustain her while her son would be beaten and crucified. They became apart of Mary and were a reminder of her purpose. They also shaped the woman she would grow into. It is remembering our times in the presence of God that sustain us in the darker times and remind us who we really are. When was the last time you thought about your first encounter with Jesus Christ? Our thoughts shape who we become. Our thoughts direct our actions, our actions create habits, and our habits shape our character. What thoughts are you filling your heart with because a person brings up the good or bad that is stored there.

3. Praise God for what He has done - Luke 2: 20
We can't always stay "in that moment". You know the moment I'm talking about. The place where you sense God breathing on you, speaking to you, comforting you. There comes a time when you have to go back out. Go back to work and school. Go back to "life as we know it." The shepherds had to get back to their flock. But they just didn't go back to work. They went back glorifying and praising God for what they had seen and heard. One of the quickest ways to forget what God has done in your life is to STOP thanking Him for it.

Look at this season of your life...NOT just Christmas. So Now What?!

What are you doing with this Gift?

Are you still allowing Him to change your course and ways? How often are you thinking about Him and storing up His words in your heart? Are you still thankful for even the smallest of details in life?

Gulp....Gasp

So I've been asked to coach a 4&5 year old soccer team. We had our first practice this past Thursday. It was a ton of fun and my team is the coolest! I'm really excited to be doing this. However I found that after a couple trips up and down the ginormous 30 foot peewee soccer field I am WAY out of shape. My attempts over the last year to get in shape have been anything but successful and last only a couple of weeks totaling just a few hours.

Today after I finished push mowing the yard, I had already worked up a good sweat and decided to add to it. So I did a bit of dribbling the ole soccer ball around the yard like I did in High School. However, unlike High School I was winded before the first song had finished playing in my headphones (about 2 minutes).

"MAN, THIS IS RIDICULOUS! I CAN'T EVEN KICK AROUND MY DAUGHTER'S SOCCER BALL FOR 20 MINUTES WITHOUT GASPING FOR AIR."

It was at that point, I was challenged by an inner thought or my conscience you may think, but I believe it was a prodding by the Holy Spirit (HS).

The conversation went a bit like this as I ran around my back yard.

HS: "You haven't taken care of the body God's given you. You never exercise, and you cram your face with sugar every day. You sit at your office chair, only walking into the office, the bathroom and maybe to the mailbox. What else would you expect."

Me: " I know. But you don't understand, I eat the sugar throughout the day for energy and at night to help me stay awake while feeding Addie. I don't exercise because I don't really have the time with all the stuff I have going on at church and the new baby. By the time the day is over I just want to chill."

HS "Hmm. I see. Well didn't you spend about two weeks redoing the youth room. You spent HOURS putting up new lights, creating musician platforms, a projector screen, and new decor on the wall. Why can't you put that kind of effort into exercising?"

ME: "C'mon! That's the church. I want to make sure the teenagers have an awesome place to meet, worship, learn, and grow. I'm their Youth Pastor! That's my responsibility." I then turned up my headphones as if I could drown out the conversation.

H.S: " Shut Up! You know this 1st Corinthians 6:19-20 and your body is much more important than a stinking youth room. And you even preached this a few months ago 1st Corinthians 9:25-27 and YOU should be making your body do what it is SUPPOSED to do. Not giving in to every little sugar and snooze craving. Besides if you can't take care of your body, the first thing God gave you, how are you going to take care of anything else. Furthermore your role as the Spiritual head of your family is way more important than of the ministry you serve in. AND if you don't take care of yourself....you won't be doing either one very well OR very long."

ME: "gulp.....gasp"

Because of what you said

I've been thinking, bothered, disturbed (in a good way) over the last couple of days and have been wanting to put this up here, but haven't had the time.

I've been thinking about most Christians struggle in sharing The Good News of Jesus Christ. To be honest, at times, when I'm not holding a microphone, I have a hard time sharing it too. I was reading the story of the conversation Jesus had with the woman at the well. He told her things about her life that she knew that no one else could know. He offered her refreshments that only He could give and a promised life that only He could fulfill.

Verse 39 states that after the talk she goes back into the village and that many Samaritans from the village believed in Jesus because the woman said, "He told me everything I ever did." They left the village to meet Jesus themselves, a 2 day revival began within the town and many came to be believers in Him. WATCH THIS. In verse 42 the crowd informs the Samaritan woman, whose story had started it all, "Now we believe, not just because of what you told us, but because we have heard him ourselves. Now we know that He is indeed the Savior of the world."

Everyone who meets Jesus has a story. That story is powerful and has potential to impact someone else's life. The story will stir the curiosity in others to want to see for themselves. What is your story? How many people have been impacted, how many have come to believe in Jesus because of what He has done in your life. How many have been stirred to curiousity to check it out for themselves and now believe because of thier own experience.

If your not sharing your story, If I'm not sharing my story; and what He is doing in my life. I am keeping others from meeting the same Jesus that has changed my life. Sharing the Good News is just that; telling others the Good Stuff that God is doing in your life. When something happens share it, tell it, shout it...over and over. Eventually someone is going to notice and ask about. They need to hear the possiblity that there is Something more than what they are experiencing and that can only come from someone who has experienced IT. Don't miss the opportunity to share the Good Stuff and introduce others to the ONE who brings the Goods.

Twit/Face - it

Yea so it's been over 2 months since my last post. I don't know what has happened. This time last year I was averaging about 3 posts a week. Writing was more of a priority. I don't know what has happened? (Waite didn't I just say that? Yea I did, sorry). I originally started this thing to get some of the random thoughts out of my head to make room for newer ones. Lately I haven't taken the time to write anything out AND I've definitely been thinking more than ever.

I recently read an article in Relevant Magazine about silencing our digital world. I don't have the issue with me, so I can't quote exactly what it said. But basically we are NEVER EVER unplugged or disconnect and we want everyone to know what we are doing and thinking at all times. We twitter, post, and blog about every little detail and passing thought in our life; interesting and mundane. I'm a tech savvy guy, with accounts @ youtube, vimeo, dailymotion, twitter, facebook, myspace, 3 e-mail addresses AND a cell phone that allows me to do all of this plus text. I stay pretty connected...too much most of the time.

And lets face it, with the introduction and popularity of twitter and facebook updates...people want to give and receive as much info as possible without doing the work. To be honest that is probably why I haven't wrote as much on here, simply because 140 characters is a lot less work and allows the grace of misspelling to keep it fewer than 140. But really? How much information are we really sharing.

Basically we have just fed our insatiable appetite for gossip...NOT knowledge. Gossip is usually spread in just a few passing phrases about someone. Knowledge is gained reading about something worth thinking about...and then actually thinking about it. Knowledge is shared by making that thought, idea, and information available and with more than 140 characters.

Don't get me wrong I'm not bashing Twitter/Facebook. They are great ways to stay in touch and up to date on your friends, followers, and stalkies. I even use a program that checks and updates both at the same time. But don't rely on your total daily reading and writing regiment to come from 140-200 characters at a time. Find something worth chewing on...maybe even something not digital...where you actually have to turn a page and dog ear it to mark your spot instead of adding to your favorites.

So with that.

Gd nite all. I'm now going 2 bd & will B getting up in the morning 2 start a wonderful work week. Lots 2 do in such a short amount of time.

At the Last

So it's been a while since my last post and I've had several things floating through my head these days. But haven't take the time to turn them into something understandable.

Over the last week I've really wrestled with the "lukewarmness" of American Christianity and even how comfortable I have gotten within my personal relationship with Christ. Not that I doubt my salvation, but that I doubt the boldness that I live it out making the most of every opportunity that I have been given. Living this life fully with each breath in a way that brings the Father joy and expands His goodness. Living something other than just a good Christian Life.

Check the lyrics of the song that was on repeat in head along with Matthew 25:31-46


Its a shame that some must go without,
But I was no fool to think it might be my problem.
Needy hands were reaching out;
I kept my spare change and my pride in a tight fist.

And now at the last, everything is changed in this pale light
That death has cast on all Ive done - on all I've done.

Im a good man on the whole;
Who could blame me for looking out for number one?
I never killed, I never stole;
A small indulgence now and then, so what of it?

Im a good man.
Im a good man.
Am I a good man?
I thought I was,
But the rewards of this life now count for naught.
My body: soon buried and left to rot.
The times gone, how quickly it all has passed.
My God, now I see how Ive squandered each and every breath.

Now at the last, everything is changed in this pale light;
That death has cast on all Ive done.

Now at the last, everything is changed in this pale light;
And looking back I am undone - I am undone.

Celebrations and Change

Tonight we had the first of a couple celebrations for our graduating class. It was a banquet type celebration with family, food, embarrassing sideshow, and the story of 1000 marbles. You've may have read on here, but this is the largest graduating class since I have been the youth pastor and maybe ever. We have about 24 graduating this year. We celebrated with 15 of those tonight. These are our kids. I have been the only youth pastor that they have had. Most were in 7th grade when we started, some came along more recently, still others we had while children pastors. Another amazing thing, is that I have 4 wonderful leaders who have been right there with me all the way, loving on and encouraging these kids.

It is an exciting time, but also bittersweet. Teenagers that we've seen multiple times a week, sometimes every day, for over 5 years; we will only see monthly at best in a short time. That hurts. But we have new ones to form bonds with and to watch grow now. The cool thing we are starting to see some of the fruits of all of the work God trusted us with. He is so awesome and we are so blessed!

There have been a lot of tears, lots of laughter, miles, mistakes, success, embarrassments, disappointments, a lot of sleepless nights (planned and unplanned), services, events, messes, messages, prayers, and a million other things that have been poured out. There were times when i wanted to walk away and just hide. But it's time like these I'm reminded why don't.

I love it when we finally see God's word withstand, strengthen, encourage, and remind us that His promises are fulfilled.

Galatians 6:9 (The Message)
^9-10So let's not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don't give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.

A Classic Song for your enjoyment that has meant a lot to me over the years at different transition points in my life.

End of an era...

Today, today i sold my Dodge Dakota. It's a somber, bittersweet moment in my life. I'm not one to hold on to stuff. I'm not a pack rat at all. I have had it for 12 years and I'm not real sure that I'm ready to part with it. Even though I have a newer Dodge Nitro to help ease the pain a bit, I'm still going to miss the Dakota. I tried to convince the wife to let me keep it a little longer, but to no success. I just feel like I've sold a part of me. Isn't that silly?

I got the Dakota 2 days before graduating from High School in '97, at age 18. Twelve years later, it's just as sweet as it was the day it pulled down my driveway for the first time. I've practically grown up with it; from a kid, to a college man, husband, and now a father. When i got it, it had 700 miles on it and now still only has 94, 000.

I spent Friday shining it up real good for a couple of test drives by perspective families.

The winner?

A young man who is in his 2nd year of college. He too is a Dakota fan. His first automobile was a white Dodge Dakota, that was trimmed out with a bed cover, rims, and ground effects. A couple of years ago he hit a light poll and totaled the truck. I was told his test drive brought back some old memories, it was love at first site. I trust he will take as good of care, and enjoy the Dakota as much as I did.

I have the Dakota for one more week...and then it's good by old friend.