In The Dash- Serious Surrender
A new year, a death of someone close, a life changing circumstance, all of these are times in my life when I have gotten completely serious about my faith. Serious in reading God’s Word for myself and not just to write a message or a blog post. Serious in prayer to hear from God and not just to give Him my list of requests or serious in sharing my faith not only when it is convenient.
There is a point where you realize that your faith is not about you, but about surrendering your will to an incredible loving God. There is a point when you realize that you are here for more than surviving but are here to live out your faith with audacious power and commitment because how can you not get completely serious about a faith that has given you life?
ACTION STEP:
◊ Stop pretending. Get real. Eternity is at stake.
In The Dash Launch
I have been challenged by many to put my thoughts to a digital footprint about what I feel is really important and about what I have learned over the last year or so. One of the many things I have learned is figuring out and prioritizing what is really important in my life. Faith. Family. Friendships. After those three things most everything else seems irrelevant to me anymore.
I went through a sermon series a few years back called Live Different, and to be honest at the time I took it for granted. It wasn’t until this last year that I applied what I had heard several years before. In some cases it was too late and in others it was just in time. So I began to write what I would do if I had just 30 days left to live. What would I do that would leave a legacy and leave a mark on the life that I would leave behind?
So what you are going to read over the next 30 days is called In The Dash, 30 Day Challenge. 30 things that if I knew I had 30 days left to live I would do. Here is the catch though, there’s always a catch. Why not live as if you had 30 days left to live today? We are not guaranteed tomorrow and what I have learned is that were not all given a second chance to live differently and live with passion. So in the true spirit of a digital footprint, instead of using 140 characters as Twitter has used so effectively, I will write each chapter in 140 words. These are simple thoughts but I believe some of these simple action steps to be life changing and legacy changing.
These words are my passion, my heartbeat and my challenge to myself to live In The Dash with a purpose and invest my life into what truly matters. Maybe you will be able to take away a step or two that will significantly change the course of your faith, family or friendships.
I would love any feedback or comments that you would be willing to give as I try my hand at being an author. Answer for me each day if this something that you are doing or feel compelled to do? If you feel it is important or not? What other ideas do you have? How can we truly make our faith, family and friendships stronger as an online community? As always thank you so much for taking the time to read my words.
Ryan
Francis Chan is stepping out in faith…
This is a re-post from the Catalyst Blog.
Last Tuesday I had the honor of interviewing Francis Chan at Cornerstone Church in Simi Valley, CA. I was asked to wait to post this video until today because of the sensitive nature of what Francis shared…
After 16 years of serving as senior pastor for Cornerstone Church Francis is sensing the Lord leading him in a different direction. Despite not having complete clarity on what this means or exactly what is next Francis is stepping out in faith, something he has done for so much of his life. He announced this decision to the church yesterday no doubt solidifying the start of a huge transition for both the Chan family AND the Cornerstone Church family. The beauty of this announcement is that it comes in unified peace and hopeful harmony.
When I asked Francis, “what’s going on with you right now, what are you learning,” I had no idea that he would share all of this…needless to say the remaining questions I had prepared were thrown out the window as Francis spoke from his heart and offered a vulnerable glimpse into his own personal journey…
“I would be a hypocrite if I didn’t go…”
Why do I fear following in faith? What risk is too great if the voice of the Lord is leading?
Francis, thank you for your tangible example of trust and surrender…
Matt Chandler Update
Make Your Mark
Everybody has a story and yet not everybody makes a mark. All of us want to be significant and all of us want to make a difference. Sometimes what separates us from being significant and leaving our mark is simply the faith to take a leap.
Doctor Splash at the Catalyst conference did just that by taking a leap of faith and leaving his mark on history in the record books. By jumping 35ft. 9in. into 12 inches of water he left his mark on history.
Captain Splash at Catalyst ’09 from Greg Davis on Vimeo.
