Why? Clarifying the Unnecessary

Yesterday the dealership called me while my car was in for maintenance and asked I wanted them to change the battery in my remote.

I asked "how much?"

"20$"

WHY was what I started to think in my head.

My next question to them: "can I buy it at your service counter or Canadian Tire?"

"I guess you could but we'd make sure it works and gives you a garauntee"

On a 3$ battery install??

I figured it was one of those things I should at least know how to do as a man :)

I declined.

When I picked up my car, I asked to purchase the battery from their service counter. They brought me the battery for free and actually handed me a screw driver to change it.

DONE.

"WHY" doesn't have to be a response to every situation, but to at least some, it can bring clarity and wisdom that will likely save you unnecessary costs or work.

Where do you need to ask WHY? before you spend, act, plan, or add/subtract something to your life, priorities, or budget?

You Are Both: In Christ and In...

I wonder if too often Christianity (life in Christ) is experienced in a bubble?

This is not to say everything has to be action, task, or project driven. But I wonder if the beautiful life - abundant life - that Jesus promises, is often only slightly experienced, because it's never in contrast to much else.

Christianity has a tendency to create sub cultures that make it easy to separate oneself from the culture around them. (christian music, books, conferences, groups, work places, etc.)
 
It's striking to me how the apostle Paul addresses Christ followers in his letters. His introductions say a lot.

Ephesians is no exception:

to God's holy people in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus (1:1)

Who Am I?
Where Am I?

Don't we all ask these questions at some point?

YOU ARE... in Christ.
YOU ARE... in Ephesus.

You are in Christ - shaped in him, empowered in him, given life in him, experience grace in him - living in _______________ (insert city here).

The life your faith in Christ creates is never experienced in a bubble or separate space. It's in the life you live now, in the place you live now.

A Christian's "holy people" identity (set apartness) is a reality because you are in a particular place and your new life is erupting in that context.

Who you are and where you are are both important. For who you are is only experienced and expressed where you are.

You will truly know the life Jesus creates in you in the context of your place (finances, circumstances, struggles, opportunities, relationships, neighborhood, workplace)

How do you answer the questions: Who Am I? Where Am I?

Consider that who you are IN CHRIST is experienced and expressed where you are [insert your place/city/network here].

Ephesians goes on to describe how EVERYTHING IS NEW when Jesus is discovered and followed. That newness doesn't wait for the other side eternity to start. It starts now.

May you experience the joy and life of Jesus that is yours in him IN YOUR PLACE - in the middle of your day, while you create and produce and relate and rest.

What's your place? Your city?
Do you struggle to experience new life there?
Are there things about your place that suppress the new life in you?
Are there things that highlight the new life? That affirm that new life?
Do you recognize opportunities for your new life to shine through you, in your city?

*this post is based on a message from Westside Gathering, in a teaching series called everything NEW

Planting Jesus in us and others

Westside recently finished a series called Planting Jesus.
 
The 5 weeks was an overview of what it means to have Jesus - his life, message, and kingdom - planted in our lives and overflowing into others.

"In" you, me, the church, our homes, ...and then outward into the city and those around us.

It's a simple idea, but has profound implications!

(PODCAST HERE)

Here's 2 ways you can grow in this:

1. Allow the person and message of Jesus to get sowed deeply in your heart and life.
Keep praying Eph. 3:16-17, and continually invite God by his Spirit to root Jesus deeply in your heart.
(Scripture you can reflect on: "Seed" in the NT letters, Message Texts)

2. Actively sow the message of Jesus in others.
Acts 11 gives us a picture of a city being impacted by the spread of the gospel.
Matthew 13 shows us how people respond to the gospel so we're more prepared in our role of spreading it. 

100% of the seeds planted will bear some fruit

100% of the seeds never planted will bear no fruit

PRAY for one friend - everyday - until December 31.
I've been reminded over this series that God is the one who grows the gospel in people's hearts. I'm excited to fulfill my role, partnering with his mission, but the inner work of revelation and transformation depends on God.
 
Write down at least one person's name that you hope would discover Jesus and follow him: __________________________.
Can you commit to praying for them daily for the next 3 months?

• Pray God draws them to himself.
• Pray Jesus reveals himself to them.
• Pray for genuine love and concern for them, for an authentic growing friendship (not only for their response to Jesus).
• Pray for their well being, health, and relationships.
• Pray that you will reflect Jesus.
• Pray for opportunities and then boldness when you can speak about Jesus.
• Pray for an openness to the gospel.

I'll commit to praying for my friends, but also for yours! (you can even email me their name)
We'll believe together that God will work in them.

I dream of people and neighborhoods - a whole city - that is widely effected by Jesus in revolutionary ways that only his life and message have the power to make happen!

It can happen

Leave a comment if you plan on taking the challenge

Fear of Corruption (PBS Survey)

Ravi Zacharias was in Montreal 2 weeks ago.

Out of the amazing talk he gave on WHAT IT MEANS TO BE HUMAN? one of the most startling facts he pointed out was a recent PBS survey (will post if I find the link)

This survey asks annually: What do you fear most in the world (i.e. what do you fear in the world that affects the world/society most).

For 10 years in a row the majority indicated Poverty and the Environment.

For the 1st time the majority indicated Corruption.

This is both interesting and scary.

This says we there's a hidden belief that humanity is "uncontrollable"
Boundaries, integrity, character, and ethics is losing ground.
For any society or culture, this can only indicate trouble.

Is there a solution? How can this change?
Does religion, atheism, secularism, or something else have an answer?


Psalm 15 is a great reminder of the kind of character that our culture needs. Living in Montreal right now, during the reports of corruption in government, organized crime, and construction - this psalm became an instant prayer for my city:

Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent?
    Who may live on your holy mountain?

² The one whose walk is blameless,
    who does what is righteous,
    who speaks the truth from their heart;
³ whose tongue utters no slander,
    who does no wrong to a neighbor,
    and casts no slur on others;
⁴ who despises a vile person
    but honors those who fear the Lord;
who keeps an oath even when it hurts,
    and does not change their mind;
⁵ who lends money to the poor without interest;
    who does not accept a bribe against the innocent.

Whoever does these things
    will never be shaken.

Disciples or Decisions

Ministry teams from Westside Gathering recently got together to kick off our fall season with a morning of connecting, eating, and equipping. The theme centered around the YOU in Acts 1:8.

That YOU can only be defined as a follower of Christ (I'll write more about this later)

A follower can be described in many ways, but as Alan Hirsch once blogged (I think) - to respond to the gospel leads you to become a DISCIPLE, WORSHIPER, and MISSIONARY. (HT: @bobrobertsjr for quoting this in his book).

It leads me to consider if I'm making disciples. If my church is making and nurturing disciples or merely people who've made decisions about Jesus and faith.

Are we into Disciples or Decisions?

Read this excellent post highlighting the 'gospel of sin management' made popular by Dallas Willard. Jeff Clark writes a great summary, forcing us to ask what kind of life we call people to in Christ (what kind of life I'm called to in Christ). Here's a quote:

However, by reducing the story of Jesus, a story that calls people to a life of devoted discipleship, to a system of salvation that only asks people to make a decision, we effectively short-circuit the power of the gospel. As McKnight says, ‘we have created a salvation culture, not a gospel-discipleship culture.’

Disciples or Deciders?

What has your understanding been of what it means to be a Christian?
Have you reduced your life in Christ to a decision?
What's your understanding of discipleship?

Power of "One a Day"

Seth Godin blogged about the power of doing one thing every day for the 200 working days in the year to build your marketing.

Maybe you're not into marketing.

But you have priorities or dreams or needed character development or spiritual development.

This is an amazing discipline to help you grow.

My brother was inspired by a friend to read 2 Psalms a day last summer. They hash tagged it on twitter as #2aday. He and others got through the whole Psalms (150 short readings) in one summer. He's now doing it with Acts #actsaday.

Try this.

Fill in the blank: ________________ A DAY.

Here are some ideas...

Spiritual Formation.

Read 2 or 4 chapters of the bible every day.
Break it down. Gospel a day. Read a portion each day. Or a whole one if you have 45min. (only 45min. to read through Mark)

"10 min. private prayer a day."
Don't let anything distract you. Just do it.

Personal Connections

If you're a pastor (or leader of people). To help stay in touch with your church (network) try 1 personal phone call a day. Just to say hi and see how someone is doing.

Imagine what you'll learn (or appreciate it) out of 200 random conversations (10-15min.) with the people in your community.

Development.

One leadership article a day (if that's your need)
One proverb (to help you grow in wisdom)
Write one journal reflection (to help you develop a reflective mind/heart or articulate your thoughts on paper.)
One scale a day (to build your musical technique)

Inspiration.

Post one quote a day on twitter or facebook that inspires your network.

You get the picture.

Think about this season. What ONE A DAY discipline do you need to implement to help you grow.

__________________ A DAY

truth vs. benefits of the gospel

This is nuanced description of the gospel that came as a response to a recent post by Scot McKnight.

…the announced gospel is all about God becoming King through Jesus the “Christ.” Picture the invasion, the battle and the victory of the resurrection.  Jesus ascends and is installed as King of Kings and Lord of Lords and in that exaltation liberally gives out the spoils of war. The Gospel *to be declared* is the Victory Won; the benefits of the gospel received by humanity are the spoils of war. The Gospel then is all about God in Christ and we humans don’t enter the benefits of the gospel victory until we repent of any form of self-salvation and believe the Gospel announcement that the Messiah got the job done. The Gospel is good news whether anyone ever believes it or not. [John Fry]

What do you think?

Bold as Love, Bob Roberts Jr. (book review)

I was fortunate to receive an advance copy of Bob Roberts Jr upcoming book, Bold as Love.

Bob challenges us to see people as God does, to treat them as God does, to love and pursue them as God does.

The book highlights Bob's journey as he makes increased inroads serving and loving the world - literally. From his church long term commitment to serving and reaching Vietnam, to Bob's numerous trips, projects, and personal relationships in the Arab world, he shares personal experiences learning to love and connect with people very different from him.

The core challenge he gives us to is lovingly serve the Muslim world and people. Befriending regular Muslims, leaders, Imams, mosques, and countries. The idea that love will bring us to places of discomfort is without a doubt. However, in Bob's experience, a gracious spirit, an honest approach, and a genuine commitment to one's faith-convictions will gain both respect and relationship.

From Bob's perspective, the most opposition is usually from your own tribe (denomination or church) because of the cultural and embedded fears Christians have from what they hear in the media or indirect sources.

The book did leave me with one question. Why have many Christians experienced such persecution in Muslim environments while he's experienced lots of favor (not without difficulty of course). I don't have an answer for this nor have all the facts. Perhaps it all depends on context, relationship, and circumstances.

Regardless of that one question, I highly recommend Bold as Love for anyone who thinks they really love people as Jesus commands us. For anyone who wants to reach across the ethnic or religious divides but wonders if they are. For churches that long to be God's living and local presence to everyone around them - including the local mosque or temple or night club. Pick up a copy.

Some of my favorite or challenging quotes:

What would it look like if the body of Christ were released upon the grid of society to serve humanity in all the domains of life. (p. 170)

Leadership... is seeing and recognizing unique moments of opportunity, then seizing them with boldness and courage. (p. 163)

Serve not to convert, serve because you are converted. (160)

You don't have to trash another religion to promote Jesus. (p. 154)

To pray for "peoples" is important, but to love a specific "person" changes the way you pray. (p. 94)

We shouldn't 'do' church, we should 'be' the church on the grid of society. (p. 85)

Finally, Bob's approach to "MULTI-FAITH" vs the traditional approach with "INTER-FAITH" is worth reflecting on. The idea that we can still relate to and even serve with people of other faiths while staying true our own faith conviction (e.g. Jesus being Lord and Savior) is worth the read, if only to challenge some of our assumptions and approaches of what it means to follow Jesus, love people, and do mission in a pluralistic global society.

Beware, Bold as Love is an action movie of sorts. Though he shares some good theory and learning, Bob is all about living it and challenges the reader to live it tangibly.

We're responsible to love, serve and share Jesus - no strings attached. "Gratitude asks," Bob challenges, "what I am doing with this gift of life God has given me?"

Seek first the Kingdom or the Church?

Kingdom people seek first the kingdom of God and it's justice; church people often put the church work above concerns of justice, mercy and truth. Church people think about how to get people into the church; kingdom people think about how to get the church into the world. Church people worry that the world might change the the church; kingdom people work to see the church change the world.

Howard Snyder via Michael Frost (The Road to Missional)

This quote is challenging. Jesus said seek first his Kingdom! Simple.

Sometimes in our pursuits to build a healthy, active, missional church we end up seeking the church first.

I believe the church is the hope of the world and God's kingdom is reflected through the church. I don't believe the church and kingdom are separated. God doesn't have 2 divisions.

However, I believe there's the temptation to stunt how much we can impact the world by making sure the church stays full and healthy.

We are God's living and local presence. Let's be a church that is God's active presence in the world - in our communities and cities. Sometimes that means building the church in corporate worship and teaching, sometimes it means releasing the church into the world.

Really, there's no tension. We're always meant to be a gathering and scattering church!

Trees and Streams

I've always loved Psalm 1 and the images it gives us for life, spiritual formation, and the kind of person God wants us to become.

Here's a recent article on it that recently published.

Let me know if the article is helpful.

Read more about Psalm 1 HERE and a related application HERE

June 1st - anxiety and possibility?!?!?

There's something about June 1st.
Not sure what it is.
It's a date that creeps up on you. Slowly. From January... into spring... then BANG!

June 1st makes me feel like I haven't done as much as I'd like to yet.

It's the start of getting to 1/2 the year.

It's only a date. But for me it's a symbol of anxiety.

It's also hopeful. The weather is beautiful, the sun is out more. I can walk, bike, and soon enough... swim.

As for my work - church - it's a month where I feel I want to say so much, do so much... all b/c the next month - July - is around the corner.

July is slower, restful.

June has potential. Pregnant with opportunity to make your summer count.

If you start early with BBQ's and walks and festivals you have more opportunity to impact people around you - friends, neighbors, even random people.

Take what you want from this post, or this month.

My decision:

Tame the anxiety - it's only a date.
Enjoy and leverage the opportunity - it's a wonderful date that sets in motion 90 days of open possibility.

My hope for how we can do mission and compassion work moving forward. Love the clarity of this video and the relational and spiritual components reflected.

singleness is a good thing

I think it's sad when people put marriage on a pedestal. I mean an unwarranted pedestal.

I'm married. I love my wife. I love my marriage. I'm fulfilled. YES.

Marriage is a good thing. It can be fulfilling. It's a lifetime vow when you make it. It's a gift. YES.

However, sometimes this gets said at the expense of SINGLES. Singleness is a valid vocation that should not be given 2nd place. It's a vocation that be temporary or permanent.

Perhaps, some are single and aren't getting married b/c they struggle with commitment or choosing wisely. Some are single b/c they don't want to settle for less than their vision. AND Some are single b/c they like it that way or choose it. (there are more reasons I'm sure)

That's why I like this POST by Scot McKnight summarizing Tim Keller's recent chapter on singleness in a book on Marriage.

If you're single and need some proper perspective, read the post. If you're married and seem to only see marriage as an option for your single friends, read it. The Goodness of Singleness.

good and better

I'm trying to discern what's good and what's better.

I love big environments, lots of people coming together. There's obviously a sense of success and significance in it.

Our gathering this past week-end was a good turn out - it felt... good.

Flipside, an event we run for kids in our community and church, is something I love to see take place, especially when I see more kids and newer faces. When that happens, it feels... good.

But I wonder, what's... better?

When my (smaller) community group meets together and I notice people connecting on a deeper level, discerning how to support each other in mission and serve each other when needed - that excites me.

Both environments are good, is one is better?
Both environments are needed, is one more of a fulfillment of our vision?
Both are good, is the big one successful when it funnels towards real life change and community life?

Last Friday, 2 young female leaders in our church got five 11-13 year old's together. They call them the Jr Leaders for Flipside (the event I mentioned above which is for 5+ age group, where the 11+ kids are starting to serve, not only participate).

This small group of tweens hung out, laughed, got to know each other better, went through some scripture and interactively learned about using their passions to serve others. All in the same evening. The start of discipleship.

I have a feeling this was a 'better' kind of thing.

The rubber meets the road when mentoring takes place, relationships are built, growth happens, vision is imparted.

We/I got to figure out what's not only good, but better - in life, family, and ministry,

Where in your life, ministry, or work do you see the better vs. the good?

6 Reasons Young People leave or don't connect to the church

Adapted from a list by David Kinnaman in You Lost Me: Why Young Christians are Leaving Church … and Rethinking Faith.

Isolationism. One-fourth of 18- to 29-year-olds say church demonizes everything outside church, including the music, movies, culture, and technology that define their generation.

Shallowness. One-third call church boring, about one-fourth say faith is irrelevant and Bible teaching is unclear. One-fifth say God is absent from their church experience.

Anti-science. Up to one-third say the church is out of step on scientific developments and debate.

Sex. The church is perceived as simplistic and judgmental. For a fifth or more, a "just say no" philosophy is insufficient in a techno-porno world. Young Christian singles are as sexually active as their non-churched friends, and many say they feel judged.

Exclusivity. Three in 10 young people feel the church is too exclusive in this pluralistic and multi-cultural age. And the same number feel forced to choose between their faith and their friends.

Doubters. The church is not a safe place to express doubts say over one-third of young people, and one-fourth have serious doubts they'd like to discuss.

What do you think?
Is this your experience?
What's the difference between a valid reason that the church must rethink or a reason that someone generally struggles to embrace the gospel?

Though I'm weary of trends and stats, I think there's much to learn here, and my heart aches for friends and neighbors (in all age brackets) that struggle with these areas in relation to the church.

Full article here

he's in it for the money

my daughter and I looked out the window as she was getting ready for bed
we heard the snow plow coming
I was standing on the floor, she was standing on the bed, both of us leaning on the window
he's backing up, ready to clean our side of the street
good use of tax dollars

for me it = more snow in front of my driveway
for my daughter = it's economics

"dad, I think the snow plow driver is only doing this for the money, he doesn't care about my fort, he's ruining it"

my daughter just caught on to what happens when people just do their task not thinking about the people they affect, or worse, only in it for the money

sure, it's not his fault, there's streets to clean

but imagine he slowed down enough to see the small fort in our yard and contribute to the project - that would be tax dollars at work... I'd even tip him.

Love Your ___________

This recent post from Donald Miller - the best writing advice he's ever gotten - got me thinking about the way my life and work can make an impact.

Simply put, Miller woke up one morning and thought, LOVE YOUR READER. He immediately started to connect his writing to his readers. His work to his recipients. His vision to those who get impacted.

Why not apply this to the other important things in our life.

Love your Church - don't just lead it or teach it
Love your Kids - don't just parent them
Love your Wife - don't just do stuff for her
Love the Kids in that ministry - don't just organize volunteers and teach them
Love your Students - don't just pass on information
Love your Cars - don't just fix them (if you're a mechanic, not idolizing your car)
Love your Customers - don't just sell them stuff
... and to this can be added - don't just make coffee for them, print their flyers, produce their demands, etc.

Love your __________

I bet it would change what you do and how you do it.

What is it in what you do where you need to build a connection with the recipient, not merely the task?

Writing a story with your life.

I loved the book, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years. It was such a great reminder that our lives can mean so much more if we take the time to pay attention to the Story we're writing with them.

Here's a promo video about a conference on a similar theme. The main idea of a story is in the video, so enjoy.

What is Storyline? from Donald Miller on Vimeo.

Leading Yourself

This recent post (below) from Dave Ferguson caught my attention a few weeks back. He highlights a self-leadership tool to help you grow personally.

Last week, as I taught through Psalm 1:3 at Westside, about becoming a Life-Giving-Restorative Person, I thought his post could be helpful as a reflection tool:

From Dave:

We refer to this tool, "checking your RPM'S." ... based on Luke 2:52 that says, "Jesus grew in wisdom (mental) and stature (physical), and in favor with God (spiritual) and men (relational)." So for the last week on a daily bais I have put at the top of my journal these four letters: R (relational), P (physicial), M (mental) and S (spiritual) and given myself a 1-10 rating. I am already convinced that using this tool on a daily basis,...may be one of the most powerful self-leadership tools around. I would strongly encourage you to try it for yourself. Let me briefly explain each of these and give you a few questions to ask in your own daily self-evaluation.

RELATIONAL: Our relational world typically includes the people with whom we interact on a regular basis: our immediate family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, and small group members. Here are some questions you can ask yourself.

• How are my relationships at home?
• What about my marriage, dating, or family life is going well? What’s not going so well? What would I like to change?
• Who do I consider my closest friend? How is God using that relationship to grow me?
• What are my relationships at work like?
• Which of my relationships give my energy and life? Which are the most challenging or draining?

PHYSICAL: Our physical well-being is often the most overlooked aspect of a leaders life. Yet diet, exercise, sleep, and rest are all vital to our ability to lead effectively. If we are serious about developing as a whole person, we have to take seriously our physical well-being. Here are some good questions to ask:

• Am I getting enough rest?
• How is my current energy level?
• What am I doing to maintain good health when it comes to exercise and eating habits?
• Is there anything about my physical health that I'd like to change?

MENTAL: Another often-overlooked aspect is the development of our minds. In order for us to stay sharp and be a lifelong learners, we need to be challenged. Here are some questions we can ask to see if we are developing mentally:

• What have I been learning lately?
  
• How am I applying what I are learning?
  
• What magazines, books, or websites do I read or access?
  
• What thoughts have been dominating my mind? Are they drawing me closer to God? Are they pulling me away from him?
  

SPIRITUAL: It is also imperative that we discover and act on whatever it is that helps us grow deeper in our relationship with Jesus. Here are some questions we can ask to see how we are developing spiritually:

• How would I describe my relationship with Christ right now?
  
• What does it look like when I am feeling closely connected to God?
  
• Which spiritual disciplines seem to help me draw closer to Jesus? Prayer? Journaling? Worship? Solitude?
  
• Who is holding me accountable to practicing these disciplines?
  
• What has God been saying to me lately through his Word? The Holy Spirit? Other Christ followers? Prayer?
  

The longer I am in leadership the more I am convinced that the most important leadership we can offer is self-leadership. Use this tool everyday and lead yourself!

What do you think? Helpful?

Trees and Streams

Psalms 1 describes a certain kind of person. A person who is...

…like a TREE planted by STREAMS of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
whatever they do prospers.

Wisdom literature (e.g. psalms and proverbs) often use a 'tree' as an image for wisdom. You'll also see the combination of 'wisdom' and 'tree of life' used to describe someone who is life-giving or restorative (e.g. Proverbs 3:18; 11:30; 15:4).

Imagine if part of our vision for life would be to become this kind of person:

Life-Giving-Restorative Person.

A person who...
...Blesses others
...Injects life into people around us
...Nurtures people
...Gives hope
...Contributes to the well being of those in his/her life

Does your spouse feel this about you? Are your friends better off because of you or thankful for you? Is your community getting an injection of life because you live there? Have you contributed to the well being of someone in your church recently?

This person doesn't happen by accident. Like the tree, they are intentionally located near streams.

Fruit trees don't grow by accident. They grow naturally, but only if they are nourished. This tree was located near an irrigation canal that constantly fed it.

E.G. Eccl. 2:5 I made gardens and parks and planted all kinds of fruit trees in them. ⁶ I made reservoirs to water groves of flourishing trees.

If you want to become this Life-Giving-Restorative Person, what kind of streams have you included in your life to help you grow into this?

To be honest, the GOAL is BECOMING, the means are the STREAMS.
The goal of a fruit tree is fruit, but the means aren't fruit, it's the streams.

STREAMS GROW THE TREES
TREES YIELD FRUIT

STREAM SUGGESTIONS:

...Communion with God.
...Spiritual Community with Christ followers.
...Rest.
...Reflection.
...Practicing Generosity and Servanthood.

As you're reflecting on what kind of 2012 you'd like to have, and more importantly, what kind of person you'd like to become, consider the following.

DO I WANT TO BECOME A LIFE-GIVING-RESTORATIVE-PERSON?

ARE THERE STREAMS IN MY LIFE THAT WILL NURTURE ME TOWARDS THIS?

WHAT STREAMS MUST I PUT IN PLACE TO NURTURE ME TOWARDS THIS?
(are there things in my schedule prohibiting me from including a healthy stream?)

* you can use this idea with other goals in your life (go ahead, it's helpful), however the psalm writer seems to believe that one of the more important visions for life the vision in 1:3