I Refuse

Here is a video that perfectly summarizes my post from last night…

The Broken and Hidden

Broken hearts…

Broken minds…

Broken lives…

Each of us is broken. Each of us has pain. Each of us has learned how to hide our brokenness from others…or so we believe. We have become good at the shallow answers to shallow questions. I mean really, how many people really want to know the truth when they ask how you are? What would they think if they knew the truth, would they still like us? Do they even really have the time or care to hear about our broken places let alone share in our pain.

Sure, trust takes time…but it takes honesty first. Our society has taught too well the lie that others don’t really care. Deep down each of us was designed to care. We were created to love one another, to share life with others…authentically. This is a scary thing to do and we simply don’t stop and take time to get to know those around us, yet there is an inner part of us that longs to share our pain and brokenness with another who will care.

There is also a Master Deceiver…who has done a phenomenal  job of making us think our brokenness has disqualified us from the best of life and from the best that God has to offer. Satan has gotten so many to believe that their brokenness can never be healed let alone be forgiven. This same lie is what locks so many in their “secret place” with that thing which temporarily numbs our brokenness. For some that “secret place” is filled with food, alcohol, drugs, sex, pornography, self manipulation, cutting and self mutilation. Yes…these are all very real things going on around both you and me. There are people crying out in their “secret place” for someone to care, someone to rescue them from the “life” that has ensnared them. There is NO age barriers for those battling any of these things. It’s easy to judge these people and give them a verse or two. Maybe its giving them a 3 step, 5 step or 10 step plan…but that is not what they really need. They need people who won’t judge them yet will love them with genuine love. Unconditional love. And yes…genuine unconditional love is risky. You may get hurt…more than once. But genuine unconditional love sees who the person can be and was created to be…and fights to free that person. Fight to bring freedom and life! Fight for their heart…which is the riskiest fight of all.

As my family and I face a new chapter in our life, we are leaving all that we have known for the past 20+ years. We are leaving the lives and relationships we have forged with time…yet I am burdened for those who still need to be freed from the prisons they have created. I know that there are those in Texas who need to be fought for as well, and we have accepted that call. But my challenge to each one of us is to stop and take time to truly get to know those around us. No matter what they look like on the outside, we all carry a broken pieces of our heart and life wrapped up inside a cloth tucked deep within us…hoping that someday we can put the pieces back together again.

Jesus came to seek and save that which was lost. HE came to set us Free and give us Life. He has also called US to go and carry this message of life to others.

Not sure where this message has come from…but it has been brewing in my heart for the past couple of days. If this was for you, please send me a message and let me know.

Do you Trust Me?…(part 2)

It has taken over two weeks to work through getting this post completed. It has been difficult with many distractions leveraging for my time and attention. The journey has made little sense to me, maybe because I am in the midst of the trail. Walk by faith..okay, but I would really like to know where the trail is going on this journey. But I guess that’s not faith. A little over seven years ago I began what I thought at the time was the most difficult journey in faith…but through it I could describe it as “peace wrapped with anxiety”. The journey has had some really good times and some really tough times. The past few months have been difficult in a new way that I have never experienced. But through the past few months there is one verse that has stuck with me even though I have tried hard to walk away from it and ignore it…but I can’t.

Genesis 12:1 NIV

The lord had said to Abram, "Go from your country, your people and your father's household to the land I will show you.

Have you ever really thought about this verse and the whole conversation that God was having with Abraham? I mean really…if this was me…I don’t believe I would have heard anything else God said from this point on. I know that I would have gotten stuck right there. My mind would be racing trying to analyze all of the possibilities and ramifications of this last statement…I mean, did I just misunderstand what He just said? Did God really just tell me to leave EVERYTHING…AND go to a place that…What, Wait…a place that He is not even going to tell me where it is just yet! Leave everything I know and go to the unknown? Ugh! Is this faith or stupidity? I mean, I know that it’s faith but from all human logic…this isn’t wise.

It’s one thing to risk it all when your just risking yourself, but God didn’t say that to Abraham (Abram at this point still). God said to take his family too! Not just his immediate family but all of his family. The risk was not just one life but the lives of many many people.

I understand this. Probably better than I would have chosen, but the choice is not mine. My choice is to follow or not to follow, to obey or disobey. God’s choice is whatever He wants…

The journey of our family has lead us to Amarillo, Texas. Leaving everything we have known and loved for the past 20+ years and going to a place which appears to be a polar opposite…EXCEPT that God is there too and is doing really cool stuff through His people there who love Him. For those who are close enough to know us and know our journey of the past few years, you know that there is no place we would rather be than to be where God wants us to be serving others.

Please continue to pray for us through this transition. It doesn’t appear to be easy but this is where we are supposed to be and this is where we are committed to be. We are excited to be a part of what God is doing through the people and ministry of Hillside Christian Church.

When God asked…do you trust Me? I said yes and our family said yes. When He asks you…what will you say?

Do you trust Me? (part 1)

As a father there have been times when my kids have wanted to really really do something. It would be fun to do it, but they just aren’t ready. It’s something they have seen others do or maybe it’s something they have dreamed up. Jumping from the second or third step…and I’m supposed to catch them. Even better…remember the “High Dive” at the pool?

It really doesn’t look that high. All of the other kids are doing it. They day comes when you finally get the courage to climb the ladder to the high dive…wow! There are 20 other kids waiting in line as well. Everyone is anxious to get their turn. The air is hot and sticky with the smell of chlorine. As you approach the ladder…there is only one person between you and the biggest adventure of your life. As the board clears it’s time to mount the ladder and begin the ascent. With each step upward your heart pounds harder. The questions begin to flood your mind “what if I slip”, “what if the board breaks”, “what if I slip off the edge while walking on the board”, “WHY AM I DOING THIS?” Each step higher fear begins to squeeze a little tighter. There are only two steps left…but the concrete is SO far below that surely you will die if you fall. Each step is a conscious decision because EVERYTHING within says don’t do it…just make up an excuse and quit. As you cross off the last step onto the board you can hardly breath. Your legs just don’t want to bend. You can’t even stand up straight. Now you are starting to hear the voices from below, some encouraging you and others laughing and jeering at you. “Can everyone see how afraid I am? Can they hear my heart pounding all the way down there?” Your fighting not just your body but your mind too. The water is “hundreds” of feet below. Though it feels like time is standing still…really you are the only one standing still, and it’s now been over five minutes you have been standing there on the board….still clutching to the railing. You have to let go and go to the edge of the board. This very moment has been experienced by most of us and captured so well by Norman Rockwell…

Remember this? It’s while we are in this point of panic and fear that tears begin to well up in our eyes…”I just can’t do it”. Amid all of the voices now yelling and laughing…you hear a voice penetrating through the others…you can do this. As you contemplate crawling back to the ladder and going down you hear the voice continue…you can do this…trust me. It’s not as high as it looks. You continue the fight within but there seems to be a bit of confidence building. The voice sounds like Dad but you haven’t seen him in a while. You don’t even know where he is now and he certainly didn’t come to the pool with you. Yet the voice persistently and gently continues. You can feel the strength rising with each word…you can do this…trust me, you have what it takes.  The time is now exceeding the 10 minute mark on your journey and the voices are getting louder. The lifeguard is now just as frustrated with you as the line of people waiting below.

It’s a point of decision…but wait, each step has been a point of decision. Each step has been a step of faith into the unknown ~ more accurately a step into the yet to be experienced!

You say a prayer and inch closer to the edge of the board. As you move forward you realize that you have come to the edge of the rail…and you MUST let go to move any farther forward. But that rail is the last piece of security you can hold on to. You close your eyes, say another prayer and begin to mentally pry your fingers off of the rail. Your hands are now free but your feet don’t want to raise off the board to move forward. “What if I lose my balance as I walk?” So you decide to simply shuffle your feet forward so as to not lift either one from the board. You feel the sandy grit of the non-slip paint on the board and find some comfort in the scratches on your feet. Suddenly you feel nothing on your toes…you freeze. As you barely open one eye you realize that there is no more board in front of you.

…you can do this…trust me…you have what it takes…I am here with you…

“But what if I hit my head on the board when I jump off?” The voices within intensify their battle till suddenly you realize that your counting down in your head to the point of next great decision. As you reach “ONE” you gasp for the biggest breath ever and jump forward into the space yet to be experienced. You feel the rushing wind as you fall downward. It seems like an eternity…”should I take one last breath before I hit the water?” Then SMACK you hit the water and feel as the cool water envelops you. You did it…YOU REALLY DID IT!

You feel the thud of the bottom of the pool and the natural reaction begins to take over as you start to swim toward the surface. You open your eyes to realize that it looks like forever to get to the top. You begin to feel the burn in your lungs for fresh air. You fight the urge to take a breath because you know there is no air where you are. The voices inside begin again telling you that you won’t make it. You fight the panic by swimming harder toward the surface…this feels like forever! As you approach the surface you can start to hear the distorted voices of those around the pool. Almost there…

As you break the surface…gasping for air…the voice inside of you is screaming…I DID IT! I REALLY DID IT AND LIVED!

Suddenly all of the battles, panic and fear are gone. As the weight of the accomplishment set in the tone of the voices change. I did it. Why did it take me so long to get up the guts to do that. It was awesome! I want to do this again.

Do you find pieces of your life story here…I do.

~ This is part 1 of this post ~

Revelation Song…

Jesus Culture leading in worship with Revelation Song

The lyrics to this song say everything that needs to be said…

Worthy is the, Lamb who was slain
Holy, Holy, is He
Sing a new song, to Him who sits on
Heaven's Mercy Seat

Holy, Holy, Holy Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come
With all creation I sing: Praise to the King of Kings!
You are my everything, And I will adore You…! Yeah!

Clothed in rainbows, of living color
Flashes of lightning, rolls of thunder
Blessing and honor, strength and
Glory and power be To You the Only Wise King, Yeah

Filled with wonder, Awestruck wonder
At the mention of Your Name

Jesus, Your Name is Power
Breath, and Living Water
Such a marvelous mystery Yeah...

Re-Hydrating Life

Does your life ever feel a bit parched? Do you sometimes struggle with the daily routine to the point you feel totally drained each and every day? Is there a time of thirsting for something more? As we continue to be consumed and controlled by the Spirit of this Age (busyness) we become delirious with time. Our thirst for more in life or more of life continues to grow to the point that our taste for life begins to choke us. Just as a person suffering from extreme dehydration begins to feel panic as their tongue swells, breathing becomes difficult. Panic begins to set in and the reality around becomes twisted causing irrational decisions. These decisions can quickly become life threatening.

Wow…another parallel with the life we are living?

How do we get here? The abundant life filled with fragrance and color. The life we once knew. The life filled with laughter and joy that we have dreamed of. What is it that transforms the parched desert into the beautiful plains?

Water!

Everything changes in the desert when it is touched by the life giving water. So it is true with our life, no matter how dark and dry things seem. When we are struggling for air because we are so dehydrated, we need to stop and find a cool spot…and rehydrate our life.

When we pause to rehydrate we can once again make wise decisions. We can think clearly and evaluate the actual reality around us. The obstacles of life don’t seem so big when we are walking refreshed and renewed.

So what is it that refreshes you? What renews your energy? What is it that helps bring focus back to your life?

• A long walk in the woods?
• Playing in the rain and jumping in puddles? (I know, your too mature for this…)
• A swim in the pool or a long bike ride?
• Watching the dawn break and the morning mist rise from the river while you dance with the trout with the fly rod in your hand?
• A quiet spot on the beach with the waves rolling on your feet and dolphins playing in the distance?
• Attending an encouraging and inspiring leadership conference?
• Time alone in your “quiet place” with God?
• Your favorite worship album on your iPod and nobody around so you can sing as loud as you want?
• A great cup of coffee and time with your personal journal and your worn out favorite Bible?

But the real question is….When was the last time you stopped to rehydrate your life?

When we stop to rehydrate our life…we can be refreshed and filled. We need to intentionally rehydrate our body, our soul and our spirit. When we are filled we can flow out to those around us. Just as Jesus offered Living Water to all those who were thirsty…we can share that Living Water with others. Living Water that brings LIFE. Living Water is ESSENTIAL to experiencing True Life. Make sure that it is part of your diet.

This past week I had the opportunity to attend the Chick-fil-a Leadercast in Atlanta. It was refreshing. It also helped me realize just how dehydrated I had become in life. The speakers poured into the lives of 85,000+ people who were watching and attending. For those who listened and soaked in the teaching and encouragement that was shared, they have been energized and hydrated to go and share with others.

People or Potential

This morning I have been wrestling with a question that you might find interesting to ponder for yourself. It will require some honesty within your spirit as you press through this…

Which is it that draws you to people…them or their potential?

Is it people we love or their potential?

The quick answer of course it that we are drawn to people…and it’s the people that we love. But now peel back a few layers.

If you are like me, there are some people that I am drawn to and strike it off well from the beginning. I enjoy being with them because of who they are (or are posing to be…yes, I just said that). I take them at face value and enjoy all the attributes about them.

Now there are others when we meet they are not so impressive. Their poser masks are so heavy they are slipping off their face. They really don’t want anyone to see inside them and begin to see who they really are…because they know, and they don’t like it. Fear of rejection, betrayal, being used, being hurt yet one more time….these are the glue that keeps those masks on. Yet, if we take time, we begin to see glimpses of who that real person it. Their glory if you will, begins to peak out and we get excited about who this person really is and can be if they were to take off the layers of masks. We begin to see the incredible potential this person has if they will just step into their glory and be all that God created them to be.

But wait…this is also where the flesh begins to fight to take over. When we begin to see the potential this person holds. The potential to help us make money. The potential to introduce us to someone we want to meet. The potential to get us into a place we have always wanted to go. The potential to get something from them…the potential for this person to help satisfy our own selfish desires…

3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. 5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

Philippians 2:3-5

I now circle back to my original question…what is it that draws you to people…the person or their potential? What is it that draws me to people?

I believe that it is both…the person and their potential. When Christ came to earth to begin His physical journey of redemption, He saw us for who we were….and died for all that we can become! He came to seek and save that which was lost. He came to give us life…and give us life abundantly! He came to save us from our sins where we are but came to set us free from our masks so that we can become all that He created us to be!

Today…I will try to look at people differently. To see them with a pure heart and not a selfish heart. To accept them for who they are and help them to unlock and see all that they can become…

Compassion Sunday

Today is Compassion Sunday at Stonecreek Church. As you watch todays video post, ask…”what am I going to do to make a difference?”

You can click on the Compassion link on the right side of this page to sponsor a child today…

Be a Hero

This is the third in a series of posts advocating for children…children who need hope…Hope…HOPE.

I have looked in their eyes. I have seen their bruised and dirty feet. I have seen their tattered clothes…and those that had no clothes.

Poverty is a disease. It infects and effects every area of your life. One by one each area begins to fail and fall apart…nutrition, education, health, family, community…your future…and your hope.

Poverty DOESN’T have to rule and destroy lives! You and I, we are blessed beyond measure and have the ability to help destroy the grips of poverty one life at a time.

 

Compassion International is committed to helping break the chains of poverty one child at a time.

Compassion In Haiti

As many of you know I have had the opportunity to visit Haiti twice in the past six months. The work that Compassion International is doing in Haiti is incredible. The needs are great but the impact that Compassion is making with the resources they have is greater.

Here is the story of a young girl in one of the Compassion projects near Port-au-Prince, Haiti. As you watch her story, know that there are thousands more like her who have been given hope because of the sponsorship of people just like you and the commitment of those at Compassion International.

This Sunday, April 17th 2011, is Compassion Sunday at Stonecreek Church. Will you consider sponsoring a child and bringing them Hope?

If you would like to sponsor a child but don’t attend Stonecreek, you may sponsor a child through clicking on the Compassion International link on the right side of my blog page.

A Chance to Shine

Yesterday I shared a question to ponder…what would a light map look like if it mapped the light of believers around the world. How bright are you shining, how bright am I shining? Todays post and the next few will give you and opportunity to turn up the intensity of the light you carry.

Compassion International is an organization committed to rescuing children from the grips of poverty and giving them hope.

Compassion International exists as a Christian child advocacy ministry that releases children from spiritual, economic, social and physical poverty and enables them to become responsible, fulfilled Christian adults.
Founded by the Rev. Everett Swanson in 1952, Compassion began providing Korean War orphans with food, shelter, education and health care, as well as Christian training.

Today, Compassion helps more than 1 million children in 26 countries.

My family has sponsored children through Compassion for the past seven years. We have also had the opportunity to visit Compassion projects in both Haiti and the Dominican Republic. What Compassion does they do with excellence. A testimony to this are the many children who have come through the sponsorship program, continued their education and are now serving with Compassion or other organizations back in their communities to bring hope to others in the very community where they grew up.

This Sunday, April 17th 2011, is Compassion Sunday at Stonecreek Church where we worship and serve each week. As we lead up to this day I will be posting a video each day to share a glimpse into what Compassion does and how you might get involved. When you are ready to make a difference in the life of one child, you can click on the Compassion sponsorship link on the right side of the page. Know that this decision is one that will leave a legacy and forever change the life of a child…

Mapping the Light

When we were growing up we sang the song…”this little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine”. We are each called to be a shining light in this world of darkness.

^“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 NIV

The picture above is a light map from NASA which plots out the light shining from the cities of the world. But what if we were to see “The Light Map” that our Father (Yahweh) sees? What would that look like?

I guess the questions that each of us needs to ask are:

• How bright is my light shining in this world of darkness? Can others truly see the light and love of Yashua (Jesus) shining through me?
• Am I sharing the light I carry with those around me so that as they come to know the True Light…they too carry the light and thus we collectively shine brighter in our communities and those area we impact?

As we enter this season of Passover…what does He see as He passes over?

1 John 1:5 Tells us that when the light shines into darkness, the darkness cannot overcome or understand the light…

Worth Reposting…

The following is NOT my personal post but I am simply re-posting what Perry Noble posted today on his blog. It’s clearly worth pondering and sharing. Perry is the Sr. Pastor of an incredible church called NewSpring Church with campuses throughout South Carolina. NewSpring Church is an incredible gathering place of Believers who are excited about serving Jesus and serving others with the goal of making an impact for eternity…and I might say they do it with excellence.

Thank you for the reminder Perry….

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Why Would You Not Do It? April 6, 2011

One of my life verses that is always in front of me is Hebrews 11:6…

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

One of the myths that has been crippling to Christianity for years is that Jesus has called us to “play it safe”…when that is not taught OR modeled by Jesus OR His followers in the Scriptures.  (See Acts 20:24 and Galatians 2:20)

Jesus didn’t play it safe…Paul didn’t play it safe…none of the Apostles played it safe…the church in Acts 4:23-31 upon being threatened and persecuted did NOT pray for safety…they prayed for boldness!

Yet today we seem to want to play it safe…that cannot be the goal.

So what about you church leader?  Church member?  Whoever…what is that ONE THING that you KNOW the Lord is calling you to do?  You know it’s a risk…you know that in order for it to take place you are going to need divine intervention?  What is it?  Why not do it?

People have asked me before, “Pastor P, how do I know that it’s God telling me to do it and not just an idea I had?”  GREAT question…allow me to share three identifying marks that I have personally experienced.

#1 – This thing that you believe you are called to do by God will not contradict God’s Word! I believe in the power of the Holy Spirit…and I believe that He speaks as loud today as He did in the book of Acts; however, I also know according to the teachings of Scripture that the Holy Spirit will not contradict the Word of God.  So…if “that thing” that you feel called to is in direct conflict with God’s Word…then it’s not God telling you to do it.

#2 – You can’t get away from this thought…it dominates your thinking and the more you marinade on it the more you feel like you might explode. For example…I really did believe back in 1996 that Jesus was telling me I needed to start a church.  BUT…instead of running out and doing it immediately I began to read books on it (Rick Warrens books and Bill Hybels book on the subject of church planting impacted me significantly) and dove into the Scriptures to see what they taught about the subject.  AND…the more I prayed, studied and read about it…the hotter the fire inside of me became.

#3 – Godly people in your life affirm it. (SEE Proverbs 15:22)  What I have learned from personal experience is that if I do not want to share my idea with those in my life who I know really do love Jesus and love me…then…I usually know it’s not a “God idea” but rather a Perry idea.  One of the things that EVERY believer in Christ needs is godly men and women who love Jesus and love the person enough to speak the truth in love…people who value the friend more than the friendship and are willing to say what needs to be said.  ANYTIME I have ever shared a thought/idea that I really believe the Lord has placed in my heart and the people the Lord has placed in my life to love and challenge me push back…I ALWAYS take a step back and pray and think through the idea more until the Lord either gives me greater clarity OR shows me that the wise counsel of my friends is exactly what I needed to hear.

That is what works for me…so how about you?  What is that thing that you know you should do?

Life is short, hell is hot and eternity is forever!!!  The world has NEVER been impacted by Christians who spend their whole lives in a car seat and beg God to never let anything bad happen to them!

Ask HIM to set you on fire with HIS plans…and THEN GO FOR IT!

God of Wonders

This image is taken directly from the NASA site gallery of the Hubble Space Telescope images. It is the sharpest image of the Orion Nebula. When you look at the high resolution version of this image…you are left with simple amazement and wonder.

There are times in life when we just need to pause and soak in the wonder of God. The pure majesty of The Creator and His creation. The awe of beauty and vastness leaves no room for big words…simply wow! And as we dig into the vastness of His creation we are overtaken with the complexity and detail of each piece, and yet He cares about each sparrow that falls from the sky…and SO much more for you and I. But how do we reconcile this love for us from The Creator of all? Simply, with the faith of a child.

Does it answer all of the questions we have? Nope…and as a child we don’t need to have all of the questions answered, we just know that His love is pure and true…and something that we both desire and need. Embrace His love and be forever changed. Challenge Him to show you His love in a very real way like you have never experienced before and then be willing to embrace that love. Trade that heart of stone for a new heart.

God of Wonders by Chris Tomlin

Lord of all creation
Of water, earth, and sky
The heavens are Your tabernacle
Glory to the Lord on High
God of wonders, beyond our galaxy
You are holy, holy
The universe declares Your majesty
You are holy, holy
Lord of heaven and earth (2X)
Early in the morning
I will celebrate the light
And as I stumble through the darkness
I will call Your name by night
God of wonders, beyond our galaxy
You are holy, holy
The universe declares Your majesty
You are holy, holy
Lord of heaven and earth (2X)
Hallelujah to the Lord of heaven and earth (3X)
God of wonders, beyond our galaxy
You are holy, holy
Precious Lord, reveal Your heart to me
Father holy, holy
The universe declares Your majesty
You are holy, holy, holy, holy
Hallelujah to the Lord of heaven and earth (6X)
Lord of heaven and earth
Lord of heaven and earth
Early in the morning
I will celebrate the light
and as I stumble through the darkness
I will call Your name by night
God of wonders beyond our galaxy
You are holy, holy
The universe declares Your majesty
You are holy, holy
Lord of heaven and earth
Lord of heaven and earth
halleluiah to the Lord of heaven and earth
halleluiah to the Lord of heaven and earth
God of wonders beyond our galaxy
You are holy, holy
Precious Lord reveal Your heart to me
Father holy, holy
the universe declares Your majesty
You are holy, holy, holy, holy
halleluiah to the Lord of heaven and earth
halleluiah to the Lord of heaven and earth
halleluiah to the Lord of heaven and earth
halleluiah to the Lord of heaven and earth
halleluiah to the Lord of heaven and earth
halleluiah to the Lord of heaven and earth

Every Life has a Story

This is a stand alone message…a very simple yet powerful message from a company committed to making a difference in the lives of other people.

Thank you Chick-fil-A.

Every Life has a Story…are you listening?

Balance of Recovery–when good becomes bad

My recent time in Haiti has given me a bit of a paradigm shift. It’s really easy to go an visit a place like Haiti and come up with a list of things that “they” need to do to turn things around and build a strong village, community, city or country. It’s easy to be a sideline coach or a backseat driver. Often we are even willing to put together teams to go in and fix what we see as the problems which need to be fixed. For years much of missions and humanitarian aid has been a go and fix mentality…but is this really how we need to do this? Guys, just ask your wife if she wants you to fix her “problems” which she often tries to tell you about. You laugh, just as I, because we know that this is not what she always needs or wants. There are times when we need to just slow down, listen, identify, listen, study, listen, analyze, listen and then help formulate a solution together that is practical and effective. Many times the situation is much more complex than we first perceived. The past five days have given me a much different perspective to the opportunities and challenges in Haiti. Recovery is a fragile balance between good for today and good for the future.

In the hours, days, weeks and months following the redefining event in Haiti on January 12th, 2010, aid began to flood into the country of Haiti. This aid was needed and motivated by the magnitude of the tragedy and suffering. It’s from a world of people and governments desiring to help. Prior to January 12, 2010, Haiti was one of if not the poorest country in the northern hemisphere. A country who’s entire GDP (gross domestic product) was only about 7 billion. Not exactly a thriving economy but one that was working to improve. The average worker made about 85 cents (American conversion) per DAY. Yes, this is less than we pay for a single cup of coffee or bottle of Coke per day. There were doctors, builders and those buying and selling in commerce. But today, being a doctor, a pharmacist, a merchant or business owner…is a more difficult thing than before. You ask why? Think about this…if you are a doctor, how many patients come to see you when medical treatment is still being given for free to anyone who desires it. If you are a pharmacist, who is going to buy medicine from you when the relief organizations are giving it away for free. If you are a merchant, who is going to buy from you if the food, tools and materials needed for living are once again being given for free to those who ask. If you’re a business owner, how long can you survive with no business? How long can you keep your employees when there is nothing for them to do and you have no income? These are the very real and very tough questions that must be asked. We met business owners who have gone over 6 months without an order and heard stories of doctors who are being asked to continue to give free treatments to all patients nearly a year after the earthquake. How is the doctor to continue to buy supplies or pay their staff?

Just a few more thoughts to consider. Currently the NGO’s are purchasing the majority of their supplies from outside of Haiti and bringing them into the country. Up to 80% of the money being spent by the UN is going to staff and workers who are not Haitian. There are NGO’s who are going outside the country to hire middle manager positions rather than hire the people of Haiti. 60% of the funding for the Haitian government is being provided by other countries, yet it’s not being spent on goods and services within Haiti or provided by Haitians.

If small and medium businesses are the backbone of the economy of a country then the current good deeds in Haiti have turned bad. The opportunity to rebuild Haiti and provide for its people is huge but there must be a shift in thinking and procedures. It is time that everyone, who has a stake in the future of Haiti, come together and map a plan to lasting and sustainable recovery. The government, the utilities, the communications industry, the NGO’s, the small/medium businesses, the medical professionals, the education professionals and others must come together and learn about each other and what goods and services they can obtain from one another. It’s time that the NGO’s and government organizations make a commitment to spend a minimum of 80% of their budget inside the borders of Haiti. It’s time that Haitian businesses and workers are turned to first for supplying goods and services. It’s time that marketplace leaders outside of Haiti step up and partner with one or two Haitian business people so as to help them grow and expand their business. By growing these as well as new businesses we can begin to break the chains of poverty one person at a time…one community at a time. Providing a job not only provides the ability feed, clothe and protect a family…it restores dignity and hope. Teaching a skill provides long term independence and builds valuable contributing citizens.

For the good of the people of Haiti, its time that we teach trades, agriculture and business skills…and its time to start spending the aid dollars within the boarders of Haiti.  The good intentions that have turned bad must once again be turned back for good.

As I said last week, Haiti has the incredible opportunity for a “do-over”. The opportunity to build a strong infrastructure, a strong government a strong education program…a healthy nation with a strong and growing economy. IT IS A CHOICE…are we going to help build a dependent nation or a skilled nation with pride and strength…or does that scare the nations of the world?

Are we truly sharing all of the love and freedom that Christ offers?

 

(Remember…this blog is just my rambling thoughts and opinions which are not necessarily endorsed by anyone else.)

Rebuilding Haiti

Today is the first ever conference bringing together both Haitian business leaders/owners and the active NGO’s working here in Haiti. (NGO = Non Government Organization – i.e. The Red Cross, World Vision, The Salvation Army, Compassion International) There are 150+ business owners and over 30 NGO’s in the same room talking about rebuilding the communities here in Haiti! Saying that this room is filled with passion…would be an understatement. It’s a room filled with opportunity, a bit of frustration and a lot of hope. This conference was the brainchild of Partners Worldwide and a HUGE congratulations goes out to them for making this happen.

This project was over six months in the making but is bridging years worth of miscommunication. The real test will be what happens starting tomorrow as we begin to see if the relationships and understanding that is being forged today continues through tomorrow. The sad fact is that today there are tens of millions of dollars from the NGO’s being funneled out of Haiti to other countries for the procurement of products and services which could be obtained here in Haiti. The breakdown is two fold. First most NGO’s don’t have the time to slow down enough to find out what goods and services are offered here locally. Many times they don’t have time because they are under time constraints to complete a project in a short amount of time…which is something totally foreign to most cultures. Very few countries in the world run on the instant expectations which America runs under, so to tell a Haitian business person that they have only a week to respond to a RFP (request for proposal) is a task that makes no sense. The second major obstacle, once again a communication issue, is that the local business person has no reliable way to know that a RFP is issued and respond to it both in a timely and accurate fashion. Today many of these issues are being surfaced and worked through. In addition the business people have the opportunity to show their goods or services to the NGO’s attending.

Overall, today is a moment in history which has the opportunity to change the future and bring opportunity, life and hope to the people and economy of Haiti.

Thank you to the underwriter organizations which helped make this possible.

Update from Haiti

It was just four and a half months ago when we were last here in Port au Prince, Haiti. When we arrived last November we had no point of reference in which to bench mark our experience. It was unlike anything that our team had ever experienced. The images and experiences were almost numbing. The hopelessness seemed to permeate many of the communities and could be seen in the eyes of most. The young children were an exception because there was still hope in their eyes…

The past few days have shown us a different Haiti. One that is beginning to percolate with hope…a people who are starting to get their dignity back as they find ways to make a positive difference in their communities. There is a visible difference in the streets and through the city. Much of the rubble and trash which blocked the roads has been removed. There is evidence of the tent homes being replaced with temporary and short term housing.

Yes, our focus this trip has been to connect with local business people who are looking to grow their business so they can employ more people and help their communities break the cycle of poverty. We are networking with people who care deeply about this country and its people. For the most part the businesses we have seen are trying to meet a need within their community with the meager means they have available. The question this week is how to we (we = the businesses, churches, ministries and mission organizations) empower these business people to use their businesses for transformation. Transformation of people, communities and a nation.

There is hope…and you can see it in the eyes of the people. In just a few short days there will be a new president announced for the country of Haiti. This will usher in a new administration and a new senate…a new opportunity for a fresh start. There is a feeling of hope for the future…and we know that there is hope. There is hope as people find the truth of Christ and the freedom that He offers. There is a groundswell of faith moving toward and paving the way for revival in this county.

Continue to pray for the people of Haiti. Continue to pray for the foundation and reconstruction of Haiti. This country has the opportunity to for a “do-over”, a chance to rebuild the infrastructure, economy and the future of the people. A chance to build a country that shines bright as an example of God’s love, hope and freedom.

CrossFit and Faith

Recently my brother-in-law and his wife started a CrossFit gym in the area. Of course we as a family have been to the gym several times to support them as well as to learn more about CrossFit and the principles of it’s training. This morning I was thinking about my workouts this week and realized…wow, the parallels are huge between my workouts and my faith walk. Here are a few of the things I have been reminded of this week.

Faith takes vision to see what can happen or what you can become…as with CrossFit. “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Both the task of working out and walking in faith require us to have a vision of what could become if we step into our glory and be all that God created us to be.

CrossFit will take you into areas you wouldn’t go by yourself…as will faith. I don’t know about you but unless I have a trainer or someone who is going with me in this journey, I wouldn’t just go there by myself. Lack of discipline, maybe. Lack of knowledge, in part. Inability to put all of the pieces together on my own, absolutely. The CrossFit program will take you into an area with techniques and skills that are proven to work. It’s not uncharted area. The walk of faith is the same thing. There is a multitude of saints who have gone before us and found the results of their journey to be beyond their wildest expectations. Faith takes vision…the ability to see beyond the reality of today. Sometimes this is the ability to see beyond the image in the mirror to what we can become.

CrossFit will lead you past the point of quit to see that you are stronger than you thought…as will faith. I’ll be honest, I would have quit half way through each of my timed work outs. Not because I wanted to be a quitter but simply because I didn’t believe I could make it to the end. If I was doing these alone, I might have pushed myself but when the pain began to take over and my head is saying “bail..bail now, you’ve done enough”…I would probably listen to the voice and stop. Stopping short of realizing that I am actually strong enough to finish. Yes, 60% of the way through the workout my body is screaming at me but when I finish there is a huge sense of accomplishment and pride that I actually finished. Here is where the principle of a cord of two or three is stronger that a cord of one. When we work out together or with a trainer we can be lead past the point of “quit” to realize we have what it takes. Walking the journey of faith is exactly the same. When we walk our journey with others, even if only one or two people, we will be stronger and be able to push past those points of quit when the enemy is screaming that we don’t have what it takes. Remember, God created you and me, NOT the accuser. God knows how He created us and knows He has prepared us for the journey He has called us to. This takes faith.

CrossFit will leave you uncomfortable but not broken…as will faith. A good trainer will leave you uncomfortable but will not push you to the point of breaking where injury occurs. The journey of faith is tough. There will be times of discomfort…and times of extreme discomfort. One thing I do know is that The One who calls us to this journey of faith, He will not crush us or allow us to be broken.

If you are in the North Atlanta area and are interested in learning more about CrossFit, may I suggest you contact either Jonathan or Heather at CrossFit North Alpharetta. Or just click on their logo below…

If you would like to talk more about this journey of faith called life…let me know and I would love to share my story with you.

Direction & Decision

All throughout life we are faced with decisions and those decisions will determine the direction of our future. There are many voices that try to reason with us to tell us what way we should go. There are many who try to influence our decisions and our life. Others seem to know what’s “best” for us…but do they? Who are they listening to so they know what is best for us?

There are times when we just stop and listen and we find that God is telling us to just STOP…PAUSE…WAIT…and rest. This is a bit confusing at first, kind of like pulling up to this intersection pictured below.

Pause…Stop…Wait…But this is so contrary to what our society has taught us. We move at the speed of technology and rarely pause to sleep. What will others think if we just hit pause on our life and unplug for a short time…or even for a few moments? What will happen if people can’t reach me? What will we miss…or what will we miss if we DON’T. These are questions I have struggled with and even said…but truth be known, God has it all under control. What He longs for and what we need more than anything it to just stop and listen for His voice. To seek after Him. To let Him give us rest and refresh our souls. Once we do this we may find that in our refreshment and renewed strength we can see the path so much clearer and think through the decisions in front of us.

Right now I am at one of these crossroads. God has said PAUSE. It’s uncomfortable but through this I have realized just how tired I was and how much I needed the rest. I look forward with great anticipation and expectation as to what God has ahead for both me and my family. Seeking His next assignment is frustrating at times, but those are the times when I put my expectations in myself and not Him. What the future holds is exciting even though currently its not clear. God’s incredible faithfulness and tremendous provision has sustained us for the past two months and I don’t expect Him to stop till he get’s me where He wants me…and my family where He wants us to be.

Friday Night Lights

Friday evening has become one of our favorite family times together. At sundown (or thereabouts) we pause to light the candles and take a moment to pray together. It’s a time when we just relax together and hang together on purpose. It’s a time of laughter. A time of sharing a great meal together. A time of sharing and encouraging one another. It’s our Sabbath time.

The term "Sabbath" derives from the Hebrew Shabbat (שַׁבָּת), "to cease", which was first used in the Biblical account of the seventh day of creation (Genesis 2:2-3). Observation and remembrance of Sabbath is also one of the Ten Commandments found in Exodus 20:11 and Deuteronomy 5:12. God’s point is to just stop…and rest. In our modern day and age this is nearly impossible and rarely done. The elements of just pausing…unplugging…and rest.

For those of you who serve on Sunday’s…what day to you set aside to rest with your family? I don’t know that any of our family members would trade this new tradition away…we look forward to it all week.

Passion…what’s yours?

Dictionary.com will break it down as:

• any powerful or compelling emotion or feeling
• a strong or extravagant fondness, enthusiasm or desire for anything: a passion for music
• the object of such a fondness or desire: Accuracy became a passion with him.

What is your passion? What motivates you? What are the deepest things in your heart that just won’t go away? What could you not think of going the rest of your life without experiencing ever again?

For some their passion is dancing. For others it’s being debt free or technology. For some it’s writing and others it’s reading. For some it’s accumulating money, cars, homes, jewelry or clothes. For others it’s giving all these things to others who need them more than we do.

Is religion your passion? Family? Work and/or career? Philanthropy?

Now consider this…where did your passion come from? Yes, I’m asking a lot of questions today but I believe these questions lead us down a path of knowing our heart. When we get to the end of that path and face what is really in our heart…what do we see? My bio says: A passion for God which I am learning. A passion for my family with which I am truly blessed. A passion for people which is growing. A passion for missions which won't go away. And a passion for coffee which fuels my life. These are truly at the core of my heart. The things that bring a smile to my face and drive me each day. And from these core passions comes and unrelenting desire to make a difference in the lives of other people…but isn’t this what we are supposed to do everyday anyway?

Is it possible that the core passions you have in your heart were placed there by the God who created you…and knows you more intimately and perfectly than anyone on this earth? Yes! The things that make you come alive…your passions…were placed there by The One who loves you passionately and desires you to use YOUR passions to make a positive difference in the lives of other people for Him. Your passion is His passion for others, meant to be lived out by you. And your passions are on purpose different from the passions of others.

~ PAUSE ~ none of this makes fully any sense without knowing personally the God who created you. The God who desires you to know Him intimately. The God of all creation who wants to walk with you daily and to show you how incredibly wonderful He made you! He made you with a purpose…one that is YOUR purpose…but one that only you can step into.

My core passion it to bring hope to those who need it most. Whether this is helping orphans see that there is hope beyond the reality of what they see or through helping others break the chains of poverty. Helping others see the hope within them and helping them to connect to The One who placed that hope within them…this is my passion…this is what fuels my life.

The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy. But I have come that they might have life…and have it to the full. (John 10:10 NIV) 

Passion…what is yours?

What is God asking you to do that He has planted in your heart?

30 Days and a Prepared Canvas

It’s been since last year since I have taken the time to sit down and post my thoughts…a month ago today. Today I am sitting with a beautiful fire in the wood burner and a blanket of snow outside our home. It’s beautiful, it’s quiet, it’s peaceful. It’s like getting an extra Sabbath day to just relax, reflect and recharge. Yes, I have had my computer on my lap much of the day but it’s been good. Stress seems to have been blanketed by the snow and the creative thoughts have begun to move again. There is a certain excitement which has eluded me for a time.

Just as the snow creates a new perspective it also creates a fresh canvas from which to work with. I didn’t say it was a blank canvas because it’s not. There are still marks, contours, rocks, shrubs and trees from all of the stuff before the snow. From the things which are still there…but have taken another role in the perspective of the canvas. I find this such a reflection of life. There are times when things happen which cause us to just stop and pause…and we can’t do anything about it. It may be cold and it may be frustrating because our plans have been forced to change…but when we stop and look around there is a certain peace which we can’t see in our busyness. As we look at the landscape around us we begin to notice things we overlooked before. Both good and bad things. The beauty of the trees and landscape can be breathtaking but we may also notice the dead tree which may fall at anytime and needs to be removed. Or maybe there is a wet spot in the yard which we haven’t noticed before but is a sign of a leak hidden deeper within. Just like the snow reveals those things previously overlooked….our loving God brings circumstances into our life which cause us to stop and pause and we can’t do anything about it. We need to take those times to relax and ask for a fresh perspective on life.To prepare the canvas of our life by examining the landscape of our life and look for those overlooked issues which need to be addressed. It may reveal pending danger or simply an area of our life where we are being drained and it is costing us way more than we expected.

Today I find myself a canvas prepared for fresh color from the Master…may this year reveal His majesty and beauty reflected through my life and the life of our family.