Dinner Theater.

Watching my kids eat is like going to a movie.

You laugh

You cry,

You shriek,jump in your seat, ask people to stop talking and put away your cell phones, stop kicking the chairs.....

SOMETIMES at the end your either glad it's over, or wishing it never begun. Then other days it's absolutely magical...

Needless to say it's an adventure. We start off every meal with a quick "favorite moment of the day". Today, Bella my oldest daughter , really felt a need to be detailed. I love this! I get every second of every moment of her day. From I talked to Ryan, to I forgot to wash my hands. These moments i desperately try to burn into my brain. I also love this because it "provokes" Ari to out duel her. So from Ari I get everything from I played with Polly pockets...to  I like scary things (which she knows we hate). When these stories occur I find myself in incredible trance....hanging on every word they feed to me. Most of these times, I find myself gazing at them saying to myself "WHO ARE YOU?" just yesterday you were in diapers, and barely walking. So tonight it just popped out. In the middle of Bella's novel she was sharing (which BTW, if you think the lunch lady is playing around???? she AIN'T).

I had to interrupt, and as opposed to ask, I more likely "accused" her of being someone she wasn't. I said "WHO ARE YOU?".

Here is when Bella knows I'm in a daddy trance. She gives me this sheepish look across the table and hums a simple HMMMMM. Then I always live for the dramatic! So I stare directly into her big chocolate chip eyes and say very slowly. WHO....ARE.......YOU?

Bella looks at me, and with the sweetest voice that would rival the angels...says........"I'M YOU!"

Yeah......Yeah...

Scripture says "Be Holy, as I am Holy"....

That someday God would look upon us. Look deeply into our beautiful eyes and lovingly ask...WHO....ARE.....YOU???

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

I imagine this fiery toothed maniac looking guy.

I imagine him being somewhat toothless from living in the dessert for years eating God knows what.

I imagine Him being horse (like a Lou Engle) kind of horse voiced.

I imagine people coming at first to mock and poke fun at this insane looking individual. Then being captivated by passion at it's purest.

I think of the fact that this person was SO passionate about what he did and why he did it, we don't know his last name (of course  we really don't know of any old or new testament  authors or patriarchs last names). But JOHN was the one of the few which his last name became the thing he loved the most.  Him and Jesus (THE CHRIST). (you could argue ELIJAH the prophet...but he was so much more wasn't he?)

So it's like me. Imagine if people didn't call me Jimmy Smuda. They called me Jimmy the youth pastor. Or Jimmy THE MINISTER, or Jimmy the Christian. (my personal favorite would be JIMMY THE DADDY...that or Jimmy the Daddy loving minister his most Holiness anointed one. That would do, be be really tough when filling out taxes). 

Today, I was honored to baptize 18 people in my church. What an awesome privilege. I'm not like most people (or pastors for that matter) I don't look for big conferences to speak at (been there. done that). I don't need a overload of platform time (again..done it..had enough of it). I find the utmost pleasure in continuing the things the hero's of the faith had done in their time. What an honor to baptize others into a deeper walk with God. 

I pray there's a time that God gives me a ministry, with people in mind, that would define me in the people's eyes. I look up and smile at the name of my blog....the idiot...

JIMMY THE IDIOT........fits well..

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....

Craig Groschel one of America's leading innovative pastors came up with a really "practical" top 10 list of THINGS TO DO WHEN NO ONE IS SAVED. Craig has always been a favorite of mine wheather I always agree with him or not, due to his practicallity and most importantly his transparency of being a pastor, a dad, and a genuine man of God. In His ministry his desire is to give it all away to further the kingdom of God (i.e. he allows ministries to use ALL of his sermons, handouts, print outs, video clips...FOR FREE...You don't see that kind of kingdom mindedness much).

Enjoy

1. DON'T BLAME YOURSELF

2. DON'T GET DISCOURAGED AND STOP PREACHING CHRIST

3. ENCOURAGE YOUR CHURCH TO INVITE PEOPLE NEXT WEEK WHO DON'T KNOW CHRIST

4. PRAY WITH YOUR CHURCH FOR PEOPLE TO MEET CHRIST

5. PRAY DURING THE WEEK FOR GOD TO REVEAL HIMSELF TO SOMEONE NEXT WEEKEND

6. PRAY FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE THE GOSPEL DURING THE WEEK.

7. PRAY FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO "SHOW" THE GOSPEL DURING THE NEXT WEEK.

8. TALK TO YOUR CHURCH ABOUT PEOPLE IN THE LAST SERVICE WHO DID MEET CHRIST.

9. EXPRESS THAT YOU KNOW SOME ARE CONSIDERING THE DECISION. ENCOURAGE THENM NOT TO PIT IT OFF.

10. STAND UP AND BOLDLY INVITE PEOPLE TO MEET CHRIST NEXT TIME YOU SHARE HIS LOVE.

HAVE IT YOUR WAY.

GALATIONS 5:19 SAYS (THE MESSAGE)

"It is obvious what kind of life develops out of trying to get your own way all the time: repetitive, loveless, cheap sex; a stinking accumulation of mental and emotional garbage; frenzied and joyless g rabs for happiness; trinket gods; magig show religion; paranoid  loneliness; cutthroat competition; all consuming yet never satisfied wants; a brutal temper; an impotence of love or be loved; divided homes and divided lives small minded and lopsided pursuits; the vicious habit of depersonalizing everyone into a rival; uncontrolled and uncontrollable addictions; ugly parodies of community. I could go on. This isn't the first time I have warned you, If you use your freedom this way, you will not inherit Gods' kingdom".

Christianity is a funny thing to the CHRIST FOLLOWER. Christianity, at times is a product that can be formed to our current pleasures. (I.E. I LIKE THIS MOVIE...HENCE I CAN COMPLETELY JUSTIFY SPENDING 190 DOLLARS TO GO SEE IT...I MEAN IT'S JUST A MOVIE). The Christ follower sees the implications that movie has. Christianity at times frustrates the Christ follower. Though yes, one in the same. They have different mind sets. The Christ follower is avid on relentless pursuit of HIS precepts. The Christian struggles with how to "define" his/her Christianity.  The Christ follower, desires to die to himself continually, being the shadow of Christ. Sometimes Christians want it Their way. This leads to a life confusing, complacent, and shallow. What's the difference?  What are the distinct differences between Christianity and the Christ Follower?

 

SURRENDER!

Love to hear on this one!

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....)