The ME Monster
Challenged yesterday by Gus our Executive Pastor in our staff meeting about having a genuine concern for others. To show them enough courtesy to actually look them in the eye and listen to what they have to say and be able to respond with questions. So many times we get caught up in the busyness of the church and we get running and have a list of people that we are trying to connect with that we don’t stop and listen to the stories of the people who matter…you.
On the other side is listening with only the intention of answering. Not really listening. Listening so we can have an answer and sound smart. We covered this in our life group last week. Sometimes listening does not require an answer. Sometimes listening is giving the other person a chance to talk through their thoughts. Sometimes our only intent is to answer to sound smart. To one up them. To turn the answer around so that it becomes about us. I have found myself several times doing this. Answering to sound smart, to hear myself, to impress others. It really is pathetic if you think about it. I have been working on the spiritual discipline of silence. I am currently trying to learn from everybody and anybody no matter who they are or what their age.
For me if I ever get to the point that I convey I know more or even feel like I can’t learn from somebody else then I have a pride issue and I have lost my right to lead. If I ever get to the point where it is all about me and hearing myself answer to sound smart, or to impress or to appear to have it all together, I have lost my right to lead. If I ever get to the point that your story does not matter to me, I have lost my right to lead.
Be careful with trying to sound or appear wise because in the end you will sound and look like a fool. Make sure that people matter to you and make sure that what they say matters to you because I guarantee what they have to say matters to God. Who they are matters to God.
Do you ever find yourself doing any of this? I would love for you to share.
Below is a Brian Regan clip and a SNL clip about the ME Monster. What does it sound or look like when it’s all about you?
Mercedes & Bruce
What would you be willing to give up? I mean if you clearly felt God say to you that it is time to give it up to move along, what would you be willing to give up? How about give up your E-Class Mercedes for a conversion van named “Bruce”? Sounds crazy right? It did to me as well as I had a chance to drive that Mercedes this weekend. People treat you different in a Mercedes. People give you more respect and to be honest you feel differently driving it and getting out of it.
I have watched some friends of mine get messed up by God in a really good way over the last couple years. They keep listening to God no matter how crazy it sounds and He keeps blessing them and increasing their influence. I have watched them have little faith to incredible faith. I have watched them go from materialistic to some of the most generous people I have ever met. How did this happen? They believe in this passionate crazy idea that God loves them and has a plan for their life and that everything they have is His. Let me type that again. They believe in this passionate crazy idea that God loves them and has a plan for their life and that everything they have is His. That’s it. No secret formula. No recipe for success. They simply are living to the best of their ability how Christ lived. Serving everybody they can because at the end of the day its not about building the church but about building the kingdom. It’s about seeing God take those who have and bless those who have not. It’s about watching God do something extraordinary through the ordinary. Its about being willing.
I pray for my friends as they continue to change their lifestyle from being about them to being about others and most importantly Him. I pray for them as they turn in their Mercedes today to drive a van called “Bruce” so they can help those who do not have get to church and hear about Jesus and become those who truly have. You can check out their ministry here to see how you can get involved in radical sacrifice.
Dark History
I watched this on Outside The Lines this morning on ESPN and I was blown away. I had never heard of this before. I love history, I study history and I even taught history for two years and never have I seen this in a text book. I have no idea how I could have missed this but I am so glad I was able to watch this and know a little bit more about American history.
In 1942, in the midst of World War II, nearly 20,000 Japanese-Americans were taken to Santa Anita Park and held there as threats to American security because of the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The West Coast was thought to be a potential target or battle area.
It amazes me that this happened and it amazes me that throughout the world things like this still happen and products and freedoms of some are built on the backs of others. Awareness of Social Justice is crucial, but it is not enough to just know about something it is our responsibility to do something about them.
Absence
They say absence makes the heart grow fonder. Who says that I don’t know but I wonder does that work the same with God? We all get into those seasons or ruts where we are not as close to God as we would like. Not as intimate and in some cases we almost can’t seem to hear Him. When you miss time with God does that bug you? When you miss time with God does it create a hunger in you to get back to Him to hear from Him? I hope it does. I hope that the season you may be going through or will go through does not cause you to separate from Him for too long. He loves you and has so much He wants to share with you if only you chose to return to Him and stop and listen.
Justin Timberlake -SNL
His Friends Call Him J.T.
Got this over on Jon Acuff’s blog called Stuff Christians Like.
Here is what he says: “This has very little to do with anything else except that it’s funny and this site is about funny things. Justin Timberlake had to cancel a hosting of Saturday Night Live. So, to make up for it, he showed up and did the entire show in 2 minutes. Brilliant stuff. There’s a quick NBC commercial at the beginning but what follows is one of the most creative things I’ve seen in a long time. Check out the video after the jump.”
Anticipation
Do you ever get to the point that you are so excited for something that you just can’t sleep? Where you almost can’t even function? How is it that we can become that excited? What gets you excited or motivated? What makes your blood rush and heart race? Everyone goes through seasons in their life where they can become excited about what is happening. The key is to embrace those opportunities and enjoy them. Don’t let them pass by. Don’t end with regrets that you missed out on something great. Take a chance and face your fears because you may actually be facing an opportunity.
A Chinese Proverb
A Chinese Proverb says, “If your vision is for a year, plant wheat. If your vision is for ten years, plant trees. If your vision is for a lifetime, plant people.” So what is your vision and what are you investing in? What takes up your time? What gives you satisfaction? What challenges you? At some point those are all questions that we have to answer. They determine what we will prioritize and they determine what we live for. They determine what will consume our time with and they determine what will get us out of bed in the morning.
I hope you are somebody that sets goals both professionally and personally. I hope you are somebody who has a plan to live intentional. Just like Nehemiah there was a time and a place for him to do what he was called to do but until that time, until that moment, he continued to invest, network and trust. As you walk through your day today are you trusting, networking and investing in something that live long after you?
Radiohead-All I Need Anti Trafficking
One Voice
Proud of our students this weekend who participated in our Poverty Revolution weekend. They learned that because they have a voice it is critical for them to speak up for those who don’t. To make people aware of social justice issues and to actually try to do something about it. Our students over the last 40 days have worked to raise funds and awareness for such causes as: AIDS, Clean Water, Human Trafficking, Homelessness, Hunger and Fair Trade. During the last 40 days they raised $4200 which last night was donated to World Vision as they selected items that were important to them. Here is what they were able to do.
- They built a traditional well that will help 150 get clean and safe drinking water.
- They provided mosquito nets for 25 families to help keep them safe from Malaria.
- They micro financed 3 woman to help them start a better life dependent on no one.
- They provided $2100 worth of medicine for a clinic in desperate need.
- They provided education for 2 orphans to give them a chance to get out.
- They provided a farmer with a foot pump to irrigate his farm.
- They provided safety to two girls who will escape sex trade.
It’s amazing when you think that one person can do something but when everyone works together you can do something amazing.
