VISION vs VISIONARY.....

VISION; the act or power of sensing with the eyes; sight.
2. the act or power of anticipating that which will or may come to be: prophetic vision; the vision of an entrepreneur.

VISIONARY: given to or characterized by fanciful, not presently workable, or unpractical ideas

Very different definitions don't you think? "the power of anticipation vs not presently workable". This week I had the chance to share at a local high school  what it is to be a visionary (P.S. I  THINK EVERYTHING IS FANCIFUL NOW)

I've come up with a new slogan for myself

"a visionary lives in unpractical boldness"...

Think of how important VISION is? The bible says "w/o the vision PEOPLE perish"....not church's, not organizations...not ministries....but PEOPLE perish..which in hence means church's, organizations, and ministries CAN go on and by God even be successful. But PEOPLE? They perish! Hence the importance of the VISIONARY. People who live in unpractical realms...and boldness. I believe a vision goes in 3 steps.

1. It starts with a thought (very spiritual...i know)

2. It directly moves to a vision (because the thought has had some time to plant in our souls, fertilize, and grow

3. then it becomes reality..

Without the 3rd step, it's still a vision, but a INCOMPLETE VISION, which then would categorize itself as a wonderful thought....or potential vision..

The church needs  visionaries, who are unpractical and bold, and make these visions realities....

NON-NEGOTIABLES

Psalm 62:7
My help and glory are in God —granite-strength and safe-harbor-God— So trust him absolutely, people; lay your lives on the line for him. God is a safe place to be.

TRUST is a crazy word. It sounds so easy, but takes so much to accomplish.

ABSOLUTE TRUST is INSANE.

My daughter Bella has this down. She would easily jump off a 10 story building if I promised to catch her.....Ari (my youngest daughter) has a rough time trusting me tying her shoes.

I love this verse because it takes something that's extremely difficult for us to do (trust) and takes it to another level. But wasn't that what Jesus was all about......Undeniable Absolutes...

Another word comes to mind with these words. TRUST.....ABSOLUTES....AND NON-NEGOTIABLES.

small words with sick big meanings...

Jesus had a list of non-negotiables that he not only made...but LIVED OUT...

Tonight in my continual "HOW'S YOUR 30 SERIES?"  I'm teaching on the NON-NEGOTIABLES OF JESUS.....Take a look at my TOP 30 NON-NEGOTIABLES OF JESUS 

(Omitted is the obvious heaven, hell, and 2nd coming...c'mon people!!!!) 

1. LOVE WAS NON-NEGOTIABLE

2. OBEDIENCE WAS NON-NEGOTIABLE

3. FAITH WAS NON-NEGOTIABLE

4. PERSISTENCE WAS NON-NEGOTIABLE

5. SALVATION WAS NON-NEGOTIABLE

6. REPENTANCE WAS NON-NEGOTIABLE

7. JUSTICE WAS NON-NEGOTIABLE

8. PRAYER WAS NON-NEGOTIABLE

9. COMMUNITY WAS NON-NEGOTIABLE

10. RELATIONSHIPS (OR FRIENDSHIPS) WERE NON-NEGOTIABLE

11. HEALING'S WERE NON-NEGOTIABLE

12. FASTING WAS NON-NEGOTIABLE

13. WINING WAS NON-NEGOTIABLE

14. ATONEMENT WAS NON-NEGOTIABLE

15. PEACE WAS NON-NEGOTIABLE

16. CHILDREN WERE NON-NEGOTIABLE

17. TEACHING WAS NON-NEGOTIABLE

18. CHALLENGING OTHERS (iron sharpening iron) WAS NON-NEGOTIABLE

19. GRACE WAS NON-NEGOTIABLE

20. JOY WAS NON-NEGOTIABLE

21. COMMUNITY WAS NON-NEGOTIABLE

22. COMMITMENT WAS NON-NEGOTIABLE

23. LOYALTY WAS NON-NEGOTIABLE

24. HONESTY WAS NON-NEGOTIABLE

25. DEVOTION WAS NON-NEGOTIABLE

26. MENTOR SHIP WAS NON-NEGOTIABLE

27. BELIEF WAS NON-NEGOTIABLE

28. SIN WAS NON-NEGOTIABLE

29. THE CROSS WAS NON-NEGOTIABLE

20. "YOU" ARE NON-NEGOTIABLE....

WHAT ARE YOUR NON-NEGOTIABLES IN YOUR LIFE?

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 

F.R.I.E.N.D.S.

One of my all-time favorite shows is friends. I know, morally disturbing, but none the less I'm a sinner with an over abundance of grace, let's move on!

The reason I love that show so much is the relationship between the 6 main characters. My favorite part of the show was one simple act of connection. You may find it silly, and ridiculous, but to me it was the most incredible act of trust, love and community. THEY NEVER KNOCKED! NO KNOCKING WAS NEEDED!

You always see them just walking into each others apartments, unannounced. With no forewarning. I loved this. Forever I've talked about 1 dream of mine. To be an old man playing cards, smoking cigars and arguing with a close knit group of friends of mine  over a games of cards if MONTANA or MARINO was the greatest quarterback of all time (MARINO).

Sadly with every passing year that reality becomes less and less. See I've moved around alot...some would say TOO much. It was never my intent to move so much. I wanted to be that guy, who lived in a neighborhood for 100 years. But God had other plans. In embracing that however has cost me. It's cost me intimate, close, and life long friendship. People discard what they cannot see, touch, feel on a regular basis. I was reading this morning out of  JOHN 15. Jesus gives us this command to love each other as I have loved you. EVEN POSSIBLE? He goes on to say "your not my servants, but my F.R.I.E.N.D.S". He does give an ultimatum before this. He says "you are my friends IF......you do what I command". See in real friendship there is a "DO-ing" aspect. I think the definition of a friend is funny and interesting per each individual. Think of your facebook, twitter, etc. We have hundreds of friends....how many do we really know? or REALLY REALLY care about? Friendship shouldn't be defined simply as a "in the moment" means to connecting to others. To me friendship should be forever. Imagine if people spent more time "staying" connected to one another, as opposed to just replacing one another? 

 What you would have is that "DO-ing" principal, and probably a deeper understanding of the friend being "closer than a brother". 

Real friends are not expendable. I encourage you. Embrace the "DO-ing" of friendship.  Fight to save relationships as best as you can. Remember the "love one another" was not a simple suggestion, but a commandment, and strive to have the relationships where NO KNOCKING IS NEEDED!!!!!

As for this idiot........I will hold on to the dream, of smoke cigar, card tables, and the "great debates"....

.....tHe iDiOt....

God and Gays.....

"But most of all, If Harvey had not been taken from us 30 years ago, I think he'd want me to say to all the gay and lesbian kids out there tonight who have been told that they are less than by their churches, by government or by their families that you are beautiful, wonderful creatures who have value. And that no matter what anyone tells you, GOD DOES LOVE YOU"...

These were the words on OSCAR NIGHT 2009 by Dustin Lance Black who directed the movie MILK. A movie about a activist named HARVEY MILK, who stood prominent for gay and lesbian rights. The movie won best original screenplay, as well as best actor for Sean Penn.

Now as I must say at first, hearing the acceptance speech, and this particular part was at first a shock up my spine. I was angry he would lump church's right in there with intolerance. I was even more angry that Mr. Black would address "KIDS" in a subject so sensitive (If a born again, Christian went up there and said "kids, say your prayers, put down your porn, give your full life to Christ, and deny yourself and take up your cross to follow JESUS CHRIST....just IMAGINE the N.Y. POST the next day???) 

Anyway! After my initial aggravation I thought to myself, is it true? Should we be judged so unfairly/fairly?

I didn't come up with an answer on this. I took it to prayer. Homosexuality has always been near and dear to my heart. I plan on doing a documentary on Homosexuals who struggle with their faith..(notice not Christians who struggle with homosexuality..play on words suckerrrrs...) I feel at times they are the modern day leopards in the church (don't ask...don't bother....it's not there...i can't see you)

What I did come to understand though is this. Mr. Black couldn't be MORE CORRECT.

God does love these "kids". 

God loves "Gays", God loves "addicts", God loves "porn stars", God loves "alcoholics", God love "child molesters", God loves "murderers", God loves "porn-a-holics, God loves "thieves", God loves "adulterers"....  

GOD IS IN LOVE WITH SINNERS.....

AND

 IT IS NOT AN ISSUE OF WEATHER OR NOT GOD LOVES US!!!!!!

Check out God's character here....

Ezekiel 18: 4 says this "FOR EVERY LIVING SOUL BELONGS TO ME, (GOD TAKING OWNERSHIP OF HIS "ARTWORK)....THE FATHER AS WELL AS THE SON-BOTH ALIKE BELONG TO ME (AGAIN OWNERSHIP) THE SOUL WHO SINS IS THE ONE WHO WILL DIE.....

sounds harsh? and it is! but the beauty of God IS his harshness...why? because his harshness is always followed by his parental instinct. Drop down to vs 31:

31: RID YOURSELVES OF ALL THE OFFENSES YOU HAVE COMMITTED, AND GET A NEW HEART AND A NEW SPIRIT (A FATHER PLEADING WITH HIS CHILDREN) WHY WILL YOU DIE, O HOUSE OF ISRAEL? (and here comes one of the greatest versus in the bible in detailing God's heart for his people)

32: "FOR I TAKE NO PLEASURE IN THE DEATH OF "ANYONE", declares the Sovereign LORD, Repent and live!!( GOD IS BEAUTIFUL)

God desires to not lose ONE!

 

NOW? Now the church has the job to change the perception of the sinner, without watering down, OR high-fiving  the sin!

Again folks...i am the idiot.....

Reserve Your RIGHT to be RIDICULOUS.....(via Andy Stanley and Bono.

Several years ago, I attended a leadership conference Willow Creek hosted. Amazing speakers...Incredible nuggets of golden wisdom pouring out from some of todays most recognized leaders. 2 things i remembered. Andy Stanley...and Bono.....

1. Andy Stanley told me to "CHEAT THE CHURCH"....to be content with the ministry God gives you, by the sacrifice you CAN make....without cheating your family.

2. Bono was doing a interview on his global plan. But one statement burnt in my mind. Bill Hybels said "Your on vacation now, do you make sure you find time to be with your family as often as possible?"

Bono dropped these lines like only Bono can. He said: "Bill, as long as I'm alive my family and I will reserve our right to be ridiculous".

  Since I heard this awesome theology, I've christened "Ridiculous Night"  not only in my family, but in my ministry....We grow up so fast, we have so many opportunities to be so very serious with our FAITH, FAMILY, WORK, MINISTRIES, DREAMS etc etc... You know what I did today....I took my youngest daughter to the park, and swung on a swing.....belly down like superman....and man if it didn't feel fantastic. Ari on my back giggling, the cool wind blowing, and nothing but ridiculousness flowing...

Don't take yourself so serious you lose your right...your  right to be ridiculous.....

10 THINGS YOU CAN DO TO KEEP YOURSELF RIDICULOUSLY HAPPY 

(FEEL FREE TO ADD)

10. With your family (and kids) break out into dance in a public place (this may seem silly, but your kids will never forget it..nor your wife of embarassment)

9. Start a massive cake fight in your own kitchen

8. Give yourself and your family a matching homemade tatoo...or face painting

7, If you have girls, let them do a "makeover" on you.

6. Breakout into a song of LOVE to your wife in a very public place...

5 In front of your family, tell a total stranger how in love you are with your wife....

4. Swing belly down on a swing.

3. Get a popular (or post popular...disco songs work great) family theme song....these can change constantly...

2. Become a obnoxious fan of a team..any team...and together get every other fan of any other team aggrevatted at you for your loyalty.

1. Do whatever it takes to make your loved ones laugh until they are close to peeing.....and i mean whatever it takes....

Remember you only live once.........so LIVE...