The OVERthink (ER)'s

I'll admit it. I'm a junkie for a good read. I mostly read to learn, rarely for pleasure. I also have a learning disorder. I'm dyslexic and in high school was diagnosed with STMD (short term memory deficit). Basically all my life retention has been a major issue. So I must keep on my game. Constantly (RE) learning things, and (RE) discovering paths I've been down before. This is good and bad. Good on the sense it has forced me to be a life long student, always wanting to learn from others. The good has also been that my creativity is off the charts. I'm usually only limited to my surroundings and people I'm around (the "we can't do that, it will cost too much, that's not who we are types. ). The bad is I'm like a funnel. Information I need to memorize at times just runs right through me, and at times I need it most, it's the furthest from me.

So I dive and again (RE) dive into books. But what I'm realizing the last several months is that in these book, conversations, meetings with leaders, and just theological thinkers and dwellers is that we are quickly becoming over think(ER)'s. The thing I love about my disability is that I have to keep everything pretty simple. When it comes to our faith journey this aggravates the ones who love the in house (church) debates on theology. But for me I love it because it demands me to build a strong foundation on the simple teachings (Jesus' stories) and direct commands of Christ. It forces me to not be able to pull out my arsenal of liturgical readings, and theological studies, and demands I keep it all simple and sweet. Now I surround myself with people who are on the other end. The literary, the brilliant minds (I'm really blessed because I married one). But in the end, the simple gives me the biggest advantage I could want as a pastor. It keeps me closer to the needy. It keeps me relate able to the unwanted, and it keeps me in the center of the people I have the most heart for. The despondent.

If I OVER thought things, it would probably take me away from them. I think readings, studies, leadership conferences are all VERY NEEDED and VERY HELPFUL. But its our job to digest the info and apply the action. I love in acts when the disciples are having to chose Judas' replacement. They have to choose between Matthias, and Joseph. This was HUGE. This was prophesied that they HAD to replace Judas. So how do they do it. They draw lots (think rock paper scissors, but not as animated). No OVER thinking there. They left room for God. They showed themselves approved, and didn't OVER complicate the process. Jesus says in LUKE 21 when warning about the end times. That "others will come in my name saying I AM HE" and warns of "earthquakes" and how they will "lay hands on us and persecute you" but that it would be a time for "testimony". and this is the best in verse 14 it says "Settle it in your hearts NOT to meditate beforehand on what you will answer". HA HAAAA seriously? vs 15: I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist".

Don't OVER THINK. Show yourself a wise student, apply what God and His spirit leads.

all this brought to you by your friendly

iDiOt.....

KILLER INSTINCT or INSTINCTIVELY KILLED???

I always tell people saying if I was a wrestler I'd want to be called Jimmy "never say die" Smuda. Seriously, it would stick! Now,  I love it when something unexpected falls into your lap. A good friend of mine came up to me and said "So I have a connection, Would you like your own cable t.v. show"? My response? FOR REAL?

As the details became more "realistic" the shot of getting my own cable access show seemed a long shot at best. I was told 1,000's of people apply (it's FREE...DUH) and the chance is slim, but why not. 

Long story longer...I submitted the application, waited..and GOT IT! ARE YOU SERIOUS?Then came the heart wrenching news of you have to have your first show by THIS MONDAY (keep in mind, I got this info on WED). My first reaction was, "Well...that would have been nice". Then something clicked in. That 

NEVER SAY DIE attitude. See I believe you either have that KILLER INSTINCT, or in life you suffer the possibility of being INSTINCTIVELY KILLED. There has to be that drive, that passion that becomes the fuel in which you survive on. You know you have this when everything and everyone says "There's no chance", and sometimes that everything and everyone is YOU YOURSELF.

It's more then an OVERDRIVE button, or a PUSH, or an adrenaline rush. It's like this. Ever

 see the movie "point break" with one of the most amazing actors of all time keanu reeves? HOW SILLY! OF COURSE YOU HAVE! There's this ridiculous scene where Patrick Swayze jumps out of a plane, away from the thespian (aka keanu). Mr. brilliant (again Keanu) has no parachute so he's faced with a dilemma. Either let the bad guy get away...or JUMP and HOPE. Mr. Fantastic (by now, you get it...Keanu) jumps out of the plane and grabs Swayze in one of the most incredible cinematic scenes since......well since Mr. Amazing (KEAAAAANUUUUU) jumped the city bus in speed......the man is a god kids! (full sarcasm intentional, except the parts that are completely true).

That's what a never say die attitude looks like. NO is not an option. Quitting doesn't even make sense, and not trying is completely unacceptable. 

READ NEHEMIAH CHAPTER 6 from the message and you COMPLETELY get what I'm saying..

So....Shadow Boxers is born......encouraging fighters to keep fighting...

CHECK OUT THE TRAILER...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YMborTAOxs 

The Gospel according to Legalism

During my prayer time this morning I've been battling in my spirit on what is legalistic in my soul, and what I'm over justifying. I know many Christians who think they have the corner market on this subject. They're opinion is the end all tell all to the "LAW".

I however am honest in the fact that I struggle with Paul's words of "ALL THINGS TO ALL PEOPLE"  vs  Jesus' words of  "IF YOU CAUSE ONE OF THESE LITTLE ONES TO STUMBLE".

I battle the my convictions VS God's law and heart to his people. 

It can all be so confusing. However THIS  I KNOW. I choose to do things with a Godly heart, and Godly intentions. There are so many things I will screw up on, and really pray God always sees the intentions of my heart,not necessarily my "works". My works will always fall short, but my heart? May it never fall short. May I not be Legalistic in my thinking. May I not lead out of my own convictions.  May I always balance LAW with effectiveness. 

Here's the best article I found. Sweet article by C.J. MAHANEY....

I pray it ministers to your hearts.

http://www.boundless.org/2005/articles/a0001465.cfm

SEEKING OUT PROUD MOMENTS

The last few days have been many "proud" moments.

This past Sunday I taught with a student of mine in front of the church, I currently serve at.

What an honor. 1st to be given the privilege to speak to such a diverse, multi-ethnic crowd. But also to share a stage with an men tee of mine. I've only known Mark for about 6 months, but our souls have collided in a beautiful effort to further the kingdom. I sat there  very proudly on Sunday as I glanced with a watchful eye, almost seeing God pour his blessings upon this young man. It felt as if I was watching a boy transform into a man.

I also have another proud moment. This one a bit more to the center of the heart. My oldest daughter Bella starts 1st grade tomorrow. Nothing in me wants to allow her to grow up. I dread every day that takes "too  much" time away from her. It makes me sick when I lose focus on what's important to me. There is nothing more important then Family, and the people who can become family. NOTHING. PERIOD!

We have to look for the opportunities where we can bask in joy for others, while seeing the move on in their life. Though sometimes it's really hard for us to watch others succeed and move on. It's important our lives remain selfless and focused on others.

Otherwise we are self absorbed, over bloated, egotistical maniacs....

or what others may call...Ministers (I'm a minister..i just took a shot at myself and no one else)

tHe iDiOt....

Missions Minded

Missionaries are funny. People who go on missions  trips are even funnier. Now I'm speaking from a point of NEVER going on a missions trip (ill explain why in a bit).  But when someone comes back from a missions trip, it's ALL they can talk about. I mean in their mind we have missed out on the greatest opportunity God ever gave to any man, woman, child, or martian.  We must have missed God by like 4 states by not going on this missions trip. If were involved in another ministry....HOW DARE WE. Consequently one young woman this morning chastised the congregation. She made everyone stand up who had NOT gone on a missions trip, then exclaimed WHAT A SHAME....and continued to tell us how embarassed we should be for not going. (Funny note: This prompted a gentlemen next to me who also stood up to say: "But I supported over half that team...NOW WHAT?" I chuckled. A young lady who happens to help on my leadership team, and is in my college ministry, and is the pastors daughter. Shared her 3 week expierience with passion and conviction. In between both services I told her "BE THE FIRST". She looked at me quizzically. I said be the first to drag us to where God brought you to....Not allowing us to drag you back to "normality". 

     See for 11 years, I've heard of every missions trip is the most amazing. Only to watch every soul become the same shell they supposedly left here. It's like when they were unpacking from their missions trip, they went right ahead and unpacked that lazy, ego driven, complacient, critical christian they originally took with them. 

See the first young lady (the WHAT A SHAME lady) said about a 5 things completely offiensive to me. And you know what? I LIKED IT!!!!!!

        Seriously, I loved it. I was totally offended, and loved every second of it. You know why? I was in the prescence of passion. I was in the prescense of a EXPIERIENCE WITH GOD....The pastors daughter spoke on DREAMING BIG, in one of her points. I was hit with DREAM OBNOXIOUS....

DREAM OBNOXIOUS.....Think about that. Obnoxious people have absolutely no worry about who they are offending, where or what. They are obnoxious, and don't care WHO cares about it! A couple of these missionairies were seriously obnoxious, and offensive. And I loved every minute of it.

James 1:5 says (the message)

Ask Boldly. believing without a 2nd though. People who "worry about their prayers" are like wind-whipped waves. Don't think you're going to get anything from the mast that way, adrift at sea, keeping your options open

here's to OBNOXIOUSNESS.....

(to be continued....)

The Mentor

Mentorship per Wikipedia is described as a developmental relationship between a more experienced mentor and a less experienced partner reffered to as a protege- a person guided and protected by a more prominent person".

James 5:10 says this (message) Take the old prophets as your mentors. They put up with anything, went through everything, and never once quit, all the time honoring God. What a gift life is to those who stay the course! 

A mentor is a gift! A dying gift in today's world. 

Anyone who I ever council one of the first things I ask is "Who's your mentor" (in a Who's your daddy? kinda way).

I think when you live life without a mentor, your live a life that is LESS.

Less exciting

Less challenging

Less influential 

Just plain Less

God brings others into your lives to equip, challenge and encourage.

My favorite movie of all time is ROCKY. I believe in heaven 24/7 there will be a private mansion playing rocky 1-4 (skipping the last 2) for all of eternity. But that's just me.

There's a line where paully (rocky's brother in law) dares to ask Rocky what he see's in his sister. Rocky looks and him and says in a low mumble only true fans can understand.

"We fill gaps. She's got gaps, I got gaps...together we fill gaps".

Well said Rock.....Well said...

A mentor fills gaps.

Live a full life, find a mentor

To be continued....

Staying smaller to BE bigger.

This world is built on reproduciton. There are appoximately 4.1 Births per second which works out to 354240 Global Births per day. Apparently someone dies every 10 seconds, and every 5 seconds someone is born. The world is slowly overpopulating. But the real question here is are we better off? Does "more" always mean better?

I find it amazing that JESUS didn't come and say "I'M FROM NAZERETH...I'M TAKING THIS CITY, AND PROCLAIMING WHO I AM".

He said "Give me 12". I can change the world with 12.

Church's are planting left and right. And that's great! But do we need MORE churchs? Or better one's?

Do we need more plants with 10-100 people in them. Or what if we take the ones that already have 25 people in it and make them better. Even cap off, before we plant.



I believe Jesus understood the principle of staying SMALLER to BE bigger.

The SUPERSIZE ME, GO LARGE, KING ME mentality has to be looked at to see how effective we as a church, as a people, as christians are actually being?



What's wrong with a 500 memeber church BEING the church?

Or 2,000 member church, BEING A GATHERING?

Food for thought?



Now I know alot will read and say "SMALL MIND...SMALL VISION"...

I'm 6'6 my friends. There's nothing in me that thinks small.



I've spoke in front of thousands,

let groups of hundreds,

and have found the most impact coming from small groups focused on BEING bigger.



kinda like Jesus did.



ThE iDiOt....