Being Missional or Being the Mission..

I've moved around several times in my life now.  I love it, I hate it!  I hate leaving people, but extremely enjoy the new challenges of a new area, or community. Coming to understand that community, how it ticks, and what the DNA is. What I also love is trying to figure out why God brought me to a specific area. I see my missional journeys as just that, MISSIONS! I go into an area not wanting to "become" the mission, but to be missional. I believe God brings us all to places where we are to "add" to the existing structure, town, community, organization, etc. I've learned so much in every Mission I've been on, and the people I've met, and experiences I've had are priceless to me. I know I would not be  the man/leader/husband/father I am today without them. 

However with a missional mindset, we have to beware to not become the MISSION. A missionary goes out to bring change, to build up, to encourage, and in a Christ follower sense to serve selflessly. They do not go to become a part of that particular mission. This takes fighting apathy, or critical-ness, or discouragement. Missonal's see the value they can bring, and they stand fast on this. Through thick and thin, they are committed to the mission, they live for the mission, they would even die for the mission, however to become the mission would be chameleon-like, and pointless. 

Paul did this well. When he went to Berea, Greece, he went with a mission, yet not at the cost of BECOMING THE MISSION himself.

Look where your at today (family, work, ministry, life) 

To be MISSIONAL, is to be EVERYDAY MISSION minded.

Are you missional or part of the mission.....

Missionals make a change

Mission's are in need of a  change..

....tHe iDiOt...

33 years of wrong running.....

So the Mrs and I are on our latest "let's get fit" campaign. There's a big part of me that would love for us to simply give into time, age, and the natural laws of gravity and literally ENJOY our cake and eat it 2....(yeah..the number 2).

So the other day we went for run. 3 1/2 miles of fun. I was impressed with the fact that I broke a 10 minute mile after not running for what seems like decades. But it was during my last maybe quarter mile that i realized something. As I was pushing harder and harder, trying to finish I began thinking of my form. How can I save energy, my thighs were on FIRE at this point, and if it didn't look ridiculous I would have just rolled the last lap. So i started taking inventory of how I was running. I realized for 33 years I don't know if I've ever ran, as much as I simply lumbered. See to run, (this will be obvious to all...but me) It's a multiple extension of the leg for a certain length, the foot hitting the concrete, THEN (here's where I've been missing the boat) HEAL, TOE, then the flexing of the calf to push forward...Simple right?

But for me it was small extension of the leg, and kind of a dead weight heal toe and ZERO flexing of the calf for the PUSH.

DO YOU KNOW WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO KNOW YOU'VE BEEN RUNNING WRONG FOR OVER 33 YEARS?????? I mean, growing up, I was a multiple sport athlete. I've never been the fastest guy in the world, but I also prided myself with my build, height, and mass that I was NEVER a bumbling big man. Middle of the road maybe, but definitely NOT slow.

So here's the deal. Take inventory of your life right now. Not of the present situations, but of things you've been doing for years, and see if your running wrong. The beauty of discovery, is what you do AFTER you've discovered....that's the fun part. Now, I have a new passion for running, because I will run the way running was supposed to be done. The bible says to run the race with endurance, but it's says the right way below.

HEBREWS 12 SAYS:

and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

So I pray you come into the realm of self-discovery of something in your life that needs examining. And with that discovery you would turn your eyes and your energy to focus on that, and run the right way....

tHe iDiOt....

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....