winners gotta win

I got a letter from a missionary friend of mine today.  As I read of all the amazing things God is doing through his life, I couldn't help but think of one of the first time I got to connect with him.  It was at a youth camp I was running and he, as a new Youth Pastor was serving as a camp counselor and team leader.  I turned to another of the camp staff and said, "that guy is winner."  Here is how I define winners:
- They will somehow find a way to come out on top.  They think outside the box and will never settle for making excuses.  When they do get beat, that is never the end.  Cause they will learn from it and will become that much better next time.  Winners are always pushing, always striving to learn and grow.  They are humble enough to be teachable whether by others or their own mistakes.  Yet they are confident enough to believe they can win.  You can never count a winner out, cause they will will never give up.  Winners are tenacious and not easily discouraged or broken.  Winning doesn't always come down to who has the most talent, but rather who has the most heart.
Are you a winner?

Can you see HIM?

God reveals Himself to us daily through His creation.  Today in Ohio, we have snow falling and covering everything.  It's another way that God is speaking.  When the sun comes up or sets beautifully on the oceans waves, it is God speaking to His people through His creation.  He is speaking to all of us, but do we actually stop, take it all in and give Him the glory that is rightfully His?  Take some time today to stand in awe of His glory!

Psalms 19:1 - The heavens proclaim the glory of God.  The skies display his craftsmanship.

Pray prophetically

Last night in our churches prayer meeting I really felt like God prompting me to begin to pray prophetically.  In other words to pray God's Will as a declaration over our church, my family, ministry, the lost, our people, etc.  I want to pray bold and courageous prayers for this year.  To see God blow our minds with His power, miracles and favor.  I'm believing this year will be a year of God's Blessing in our church and in my life.  What about you?

Jesus Is

We just finished the "Jesus IS ________" series at C3.  I could preach this series for several years because Jesus is truly SOOO many things to SOOO many people.  Who or what is Jesus to you?

Decide don't intend

I intend to do many things.  I've intended to write a book, go on a trip, be more intentional with my kids, the list can go on and on.  But intentions get us no where.  We need to decide.  Make decisions and take steps.  Build a track and take action.  Track + Action = Traction.

I have decided to make changes and to finish my first book........short book...but still a book....ok.. maybe a pamphlet....a fairly thick pamphlet.

Drop the intentions.  What do you need to decide to do?

begin

You can never win, if you never begin.

What do you need to take the first step toward today?

40

I am officially "Over the Hill."  I'm coming out of the locker room after half-time and ready for the 2nd half.  When I think about it though, 40's are prime time.  When you are young, you have a lot of energy, but no wisdom or life experience.  When you are old you have a lot of wisdom, but no energy.  But in your 40's, you have a little bit of both.  So let's do this!!!!

lies powered by truth

The enemy's lies are powered by truth - Steven Furtick

When the enemy speaks shame and condemnation over us, it is easy to believe as truth because there is usually some truth in it.  When the devil brings up our past sin and failures, he tells us we are not good enough and he is right.  The lie comes in when he tells us "we are forever, what we have done."  While the truth is, God extends us grace and forgiveness and Jesus makes us "good enough" as HE IS OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS!  We fall for this trap because it is laced with truth.  The enemy is smooth at tempting us with partial truths that lead us to slavery.  When the enemy speaks shame on us, we must confess our sin before God and then receive God's grace and forgiveness and continue to move forward with Jesus.

Recovery

This past Saturday was one week from the start of my 100 mile race.  I had taken the majority of the week off and not run and decided to go out and run 6 miles.  I soon cut it to 5 miles and felt like I was going to fall apart.  It's crazy how my legs felt great until I began to run over a mile and then I felt the severity of the distance I covered a week earlier.  I think this is true in life as well.  We are damaged either by a relationship, a loss, circumstances and we think we heal much quicker than we do.  So we jump back into a another relationship, ministry or new endeavor without ever having fully recovered and the results can be disastrous.  The key is to take time to recover well and enter the next step with all pistons firing.

With God's help....I did it!

I ran 100.9 miles in 28hours, 45minutes and 13 seconds.  It was one of the most incredible, difficult and most rewarding experiences of my life.  I'm incredibly grateful to everyone who got me across that line.  I wouldn't have wanted to try that alone.  If you have yet to check it out, here is my story http://vimeo.com/102577781

Blessings

It's coming

On Saturday morning I will begin running in attempt to cover 100 miles of trails in 30 hours in the Burning River 100 foot race.  I do have a couple of expectations:

- To push myself both mentally and physically farther than ever before.
- To experience new levels of pain.
- Having to talk myself out of quitting multiple times.
- Most likely hallucinating.
- Experience hunger on a new level.
- Accomplishing an incredible goal.

Time will tell.

He trusts me

This morning I was listening to a Bill Johnson podcast and he said something that struck me.  He said when we are seeking God for an answer, Him not speaking may be because He trusts me to make the decision.
If I am living in the Will of God and am full of His Spirit and align my life with the truth in His Word, I should be continually moving forward knowing that God is in heaven rooting me on.

APC

I had an incredible time at Allison Park Church in Pittsburg this past weekend.  I was honored to speak the weekend services and be apart of their student Impact week.  They have a great thing going with some amazing leaders.

get away

I had the privilege Friday night to speak for hundreds of young men at the Ohio Pow Wow.  I'm believing God did some great things in their lives as men of God prayed for the young men of this next generation.  I then travelled to Pittsburg to speak at Allison Park Church and spoke tonight.  It is an incredible honor to speak for Pastor Jeff Leake at such a great church.  I'm looking forward to spending some time over the next couple days to be alone with Jesus in their guest house.  I want to get a hold of Jesus over a few things.  Sometimes a break in routine can open me up to hear His voice.

a few things

I had a mentor who told me once, "You can do a lot of things well. "  I thought that was great compliment until he followed it with, "And that is why you may never be really great at anything."  Um...Ouch!  His Challenge was to find what I can be the best at, and focus on it.  Like an olympic athlete who takes one thing and hones it to be the best.  I think the same is true for us in life.  We only have time to do so many things.  When we fill our lives with everything, we rarely accomplish anything.  What are the most important things to you?  Focus on them and make them the best they can be.  What do you need to focus on?

rite of passage

Last weekend, I took my 13yr old son on an overnight backpacking trip deep in the National Forest. We walked 4 miles each day of steep hills and beautiful scenery.  The distance was far enough to push his physical limits with a pack on, but not enough to break him.  After we had set up camp and each eaten our military MRE, we sat down and I spoke some important things into his life.  Then I gave him his first real knife.  It was incredible to spend that focused time with my son.

52 miles

This past Saturday I ran the Buckeye Buster 50 miler in the Salt Fork State Park.  I have to admit it was one of the toughest physical challenges I have ever faced.  The hills were constant and incredibly steep, which crushed my thighs.  At mile 30, I had to fight the questions going on in my head as I am taking evaluation of how I feel, how much I have left in my tank and how far I still have to go.  But, I chose to continue to push through.  I have learned that when you think you have hit your limit, you can go several times farther.  The human will can drive the body to do incredible things.  With every test, I feel that I have grown stronger.  That when my metal was tested, I was able to pass the test.  I had a lot of alone time with Jesus while I was suffering.  I find that in those moments, I am more broken and humble before God and I am able to connect with Him on a different level.  I know that I can do All things through Christ who gives me strength.

stirring

I feel like God is stirring me up and desiring to stir our church as well.  I don't know what that means, but I have an incredible peace and anticipation brewing inside my heart.  I'm just trying to stay open and available to hear His voice.  In the meantime, we will continue to Move Forward as a church.  Jesus have your way!

faith and feelings

Don't ever allow your faith to follow your feelings.  Feelings are fleeting and unstable and can rob us from obeying God or sticking to we what we know is right in our hearts.  Instead, force your feelings to line up with your faith.

Be present to win

When I was younger I ran a 5k, collected my award and quickly headed home.  I was informed later by my friend who hung around after the race, that my name had been drawn for the Grand Prize which was a huge diamond ring!  The only problem was, you had to be "present" to win.  Bummer.  I think the same is true in life.  I know for me, with so many things going on, it's easy to be somewhere, but really not be there.  I could be sitting in my living room with my kids watching a movie, but be more focused on the person I am testing.  It's truly a battle for all of us in today's world.  The truth is, we must be present to win.  Wherever you are, be all there.  I personally don't want to rob those closest to me because I am always distracted.

You must be present to win.