So officially this is the longest blog silence I think I have had (at least lately.....be nice).

I haven't had much success with internet in Mexico, and wanted to make quick connection.

Michelle and I got a bit delayed here.  I know, how can you beat Cabo, but for her it was a necessity thing.  

She was able to get in to see a doctor who specializes in tropical diseases etc. which sometimes can go undetected by American doctors.  Some of you know she has been sick on and off now for over a year and we are not sure what is up, and what to do next concerning her health.  Can I just say I have never met someone who complains less than she does.  Over a year she has lost weight and really is sick a lot of the time.  She has had over 40 or 50 different tests and no one knows, except God, what is wrong.  Staying here of course meant that I couldn't be at church this weekend.  

I was thinking and talking to a friend and praying with her and realized she is my most important campus.  Seriously, no pun intended.  If I could get her better by traveling to anywhere in the world, I would do it.  The appointment went well, she had an ultrasound and some other tests.  We will wait and see, but in the end, I am praying for her and with her more than ever.  

Priorities in our lives will always determine capacities in our lives.  It is a law we live by relationally, financially, vocationally and spiritually.  What is the most important thing will be the first on the calender, the first in the finances, first in regards to your time and first in our relationships.  For me, outside of Jesus, there is nothing and no one more important than Michelle.  Don't pat me on the back, because the truth is it is SO easy to slip and get off center as to what matters.  I have not done the best I can, or in fact have done and need to do better.  We all need to be constantly reminded of priorities in every area of our lives.

If you can, pray for Michelle, and her health.  AND for God to give some answers as to what we need to do next.  Thanks.

That leads me to the next thing.  When I contemplated having to stay for a few extra days here, I only called a few people outside of my kids.  Dave, Danny, Missy and Rick.

Danny Joe.  What a gift to Living Hope Church.  He is such an incredible communicator and I simply want to say thanks to him, Dave and the weekend teams who once again did what they do best.  I have heard so many amazing comments about the weekend.  ONLY GOD.  

See you this weekend.  For real.  We are starting a new series called "ROCKSTAR".  I have heard from the creative teams some of the ideas and am excited.

John

What if you thought your prayers could be hindered?

If you knew, wouldn't it make you think a little bit?   

There is a verse that is spiritually profound in it's connection between relational harmony and our prayers being hindered.

"In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered." 1 Peter 3:7

I love that verse but frankly it is a bit overwhelming.  

This year in December I will have been married 25 years to the person I love the most on this planet.  That is the good news.  The worst part is, when I look back over the course of all of those years, I have been a Christ follower for almost 20 of them.  Jesus has completely, radically and really changed our marriage.  He has been the difference.  BUT (don't you hate the 'but' in a sentence sometimes???) how often were my prayers hindered BECAUSE I was being a flippin jerk?  How often did I think God was answering or would answer and because of the way I was treating the woman I am married to, whom God has blessed my life with,  in reality my prayers were being hindered?    

God's Word has made a huge impact in my life.  This one key for us guys would change so much.  I think one of the most relationally important principles is simple understanding.  Often we just are pursuing "being right" when in reality we are called to "be one".  To understand, to love, to respect, to honor and as always when we do our part, God promises to do His part.  

So, ya, we can't change the past, but we certainly can change today.

Have a great day.

John

I was reading this morning in my Bible.  It is a real good thing for a pastor to be about reading the Bible.....

Paul wrote 4 letters to a church in Corinth.  We only have two of them in the cannon of Scripture.  The church at Corinth was weak and struggled in their faith.  The two letters we have are very encouraging, but for them it was very corrective.  Paul had connection with this church, and because of his connection to them, he was able to give appropriate correction to them.  1 Corinthians was sent to them to answer questions about specific moral issues like sex and marriage.

This morning I was reading in 2 Corinthians (which was Paul's  fourth and last letter to the church).  The key verse is "We are Christ's ambassadors, and God is using us to speak to you.  We urge you, as though Christ himself were here pleading with you.  'be reconciled to God!'"  (2 Corinthians 5:20)

If you have time, read the letter.  It is an intensely personal letter, with words of both love and exhortation.  Many of the people heard and responded to his previous letter, but because of their wavering faith they were drifting and losing heart and listening to false teaching.  I am reading it lately in my devotions.  If you can, read it.  It is a good and short book.  It is 13 chapters.

In chapter 11 is one of the verses that has kept me focused and grounded over the last couple years.    

"...But I fear that somehow you will be led away from your pure and simple devotion to Christ, just as Eve was deceived by the serpent."   2 Corinthians 11:3

They did it.  Eve did it  Truth is we all do it.

We are led away or drift from what matters because of our agendas, our fears, our inability to listen to God.  We drift because we get "caught" up in so much that seems good that we miss what is best.   

Pure and simple devotion to Jesus.

What isn't pure that needs to be?  

What isn't simple that could be?

I hope you allow God to speak to you.  The moments we are still become the moments that change things the most.  Battles are decided sometimes in the moments before it begins.

Excited for the future.  

Paul closes with these words.

"I close my letter with these last words:  Rejoice.  Change your ways.  Encourage each other.  Living in harmony and peace.  Then the God of love and peace will be with you."  2 Corinthians 13: 11

I just love that.  Maybe in fact those are the "simple" and "pure" things that we are called back to?  Maybe somehow that is what we get led away from?

Hope you are having a good day.

John

Quick updates from the conference here in Seattle.

This was the first of three multi-site conferences led by Leadership Network in the country for this year.  www.multisiteexposed.com 

I think it went pretty well.  The volunteers were good, the facility supported the vision well, the speakers delivered well and the leadership (Greg Ligon, Todd Rhoades and Missy Hannon) did a great job keeping things on task.  Can't wait to hear about what ONLY GOD will do in the next couple gatherings of church leaders who are talking and learning together about  the multi-site movement.

Tueday AM Main Session:  Dave Browning. Christ the King Community Church.  This church really gets it.  I love the heart of a man who simply wants to do what God wants and in and through the vision of simplicity, is willing to risk and challenge status quo to reach people for God's Kingdom.  Dave Browning is a guy that I could hang out with.  If you are in the Bellingham area, I would recommend visiting their church.  (Heck check out their website, I guess I would say any area).  Their model is vastly different, yet far reaching.  It is both simple and complex at the same time.   Multiple campuses, multiple countries.   Good session.  I enjoyed hearing Dave's heart.

Break-out Session #1.  Our creative team did a great job this morning.  The core people in the team are such gifted artists.    Dave Clinton, Danny Joe Clinton, Teresa Petker, Carly Major and Erin Clinton.     They shared how everyone is creative, not everyone is an artist.    George talked about translating creativity from our "Saturday Scramble" to the campuses the next day.   They talked also about campus creativity and translate-ability.  Very good, practical session.   There were so many really good questions and the team did a stupendous job (good word, huh) of talking in a practical, helpful, inspiring and encouraging way.   It was really good. 

Most all of our leaders taught break-out sessions. Technology, Kids Ministry, etc.   I couldn't make it to very many...  SO PROUD OF OUR TEAMS.

Break-out Session #2.      After Lunch I had a basic Q and A about leadership mistakes I have made over the years.   First question, in my break-out,  "What is the greatest strength and greatest weakness of your life."   I asked are we talking personal or ministry?    He said "BOTH". 

1.  Church Victory/Success:   I am grateful that we have stayed on target.   Reaching lost people with a sense of authentic desperation.  From day one, through criticism, people leaving the church and lots of changes, the one thing I feel the best about is we haven't got too much mission drift.  The other thing is our team.   I have always held a strong conviction and dream to do church with people I love the most for the rest of my life.   One life, right?      God has honored those two things and for that I would say we have had ONLY GOD "success"

2.  Church failures.  I would say the times where we "planned" and left out God.   

3.  Personal victory/success:   Without hesitation I shared that outside of my relationship with Jesus Christ, the greatest success in my life is being married to Michelle for 25 years (this December).   SO EXCITED.    I go to her first when I need support, prayer or advice.    I call her different times most every  day.   We pray for each other lately more than ever.   Ya.   Pretty much, not sure there is a victory that I want to brag about more in a God honoring way. 

4.  Personal failure.   Let me begin with saying that mostly our strengths (mostly) will play to our weaknesses.   One of my few strengths is drive fast, go full speed, turn on a dime, change things, interacting with our teams, etc.  Also, I am pretty high on the relational side of things.  The weakness is I HAVE NO BALANCE.  I want to and am working on it, but just isn't there yet.   I never know when to shut off the phone.  The truth is who gets hurt most are my family.   Failure?   NO DOUBT.  

I shared, and people asked questions.  I did my best to give answers.  Other than the room being like 119 degrees, it was good.

Main Session #4:  Mark Driscoll, Mars Hill Church:   Mark shared some incredibly helpful thoughts about the theological, philosophical and historical contextualization of the multi site movement.  Good information.  He gave a good working definition of what the church is and isn't. 

Thanks to all the pastors and church leaders who came to the conference.    My personal goal is that hopefully there was value added to their ministries and are going home "the way they came" to talk, pray, implement and think about the local church AND LISTEN TO ONLY GOD.  

After the conference, most of the campus pastors headed to a Mariners game.  My first time ever in Safeco field.  We got there late, so the ticket prices were $8.00 each.  That's the good part.   Mariners won the game.  That is good and maybe even stupendously good.   Not bad, except for the rain blowing in sideways.   I wonder if it rains sideways anywhere else in the world?  Baseball is difficult to stay focused on.  I know, although thoroughly an american thing, it can be marginally boring.

Wasn't about the game for me, but who I was able to hang out with.   We are packing up, getting ready to head home.

Everyone from Living Hope.   You did really good.   God was honored and pastors and leaders were encouraged and challenged. 

John

Hey.   Thanks for your prayers.

I wanted to give a quick update for the first day of the conference.

First, Mars Hill has a kller building (their Ballard campus) and I appreciate their willingness to host the conference.

Second.  Thanks to Missy, Maria, Dondi, Marlette, Diane, Marlene and SO many others who served, volunteered, etc to make the conference what it seems to becoming.

Also, thanks to our worship team who sacrificed a bunch to be here and serve these pastors.   Thanks to everyone.   Worship was a out of the part home run.   It made the difference.

Third.  Leadership Network rocks.   They are all about helping to connect local churches and pastors and innovative thought.   I am pumped to be part of what God is doing through their ministry.

Fourth.   Mark Driscoll and Dave Browning are pretty much amazingly smart and gifted guys who are affecting changes everywhere.   I felt pretty honored and humbled to be on the platform with two guys who are on their game, staying focused and obedient to what God wants for their lives.    I am pretty pumped about their sessions Tuesday.   Dave is in the AM and Mark is in the afternoon.

Our "collecdtive" session was insightful and fun.  I just pray for value added to the pastors who have traveled from as far away as Miami Florida to learn from our churches.  

The main session I was able to teach went well.   Main thing.....Glad it is over.   I gave what I had, but am super excited to be done.

One more day and then we will head home.

Our campus pastors just might have to see a Mariners Game?

John

Some of our team is in Seattle now, some will be on their way bright and early.

I am excited that Phil Baker from Perth Australia will be joining us to hang out and go to the Multisiteexposed.com conference.   Phil is probably one of the best communicators I have ever heard.   

I was thinking about Leadership Network.  They are pretty much on their game as they support churches and bring ministries together.   I know my life is better because of men of God like Warren Bird, Greg Ligon and so many others...

Thanks to EVERYONE from Living Hope who is here or will be on their way here to invest into the life of pastors and church leaders.

Still a few details to work out.   I think about what to teach and really think about ONLY GOD.

Today I talked about faith expressing itself in a few different ways.

Faith that WORKS  (Noah building an Ark for 120 years...)

Faith that WAITS (Abraham and Sarah trusted God to fulfill a promsie, against all odds....)

Faith that WALKS (Moses and so many others 'walked' out their faith. .... or didn't

Faith that WINS (Joshua.   Love his heart. Love his extreme military strategy.    March around the walls of Jericho for 7 days and the walls will fall down....)

Mostly what I love about the stories in Scripture is that they are pretty average people, messed up and YET they risked everything they had. 

We will never know what God would do UNTIL we step into the waters of what God COULD do.

Pray for us.   I love hanging out with pastors.  I love that our campus pastors will get to 'maybe' see a Mariners game.   Not so much a baseball guy, but I love hanging out with friends.

See you later.

JOHN

Volunteers are stuffing programs for the conference next Monday and Tuesday.   The staff and teams are preparing for the break-out sessions they will be leading.  I am working on my talks, and planning to drive to Seattle Sunday after services.   

So, two years ago as we were "learning" to be a campus focused church, we are today still "learning"  to be one church in multiple locations, now in multiple countries.

Key words...... STILL LEARNING.

I am pretty nervous to speak at the Multisite Exposed conference at Mars Hill Church in Seattle next week, and to hang out with our teams and other pastors and leaders who love the beauty of the local church.  I am excited to learn from the other speakers, and I'll be sharing with pastors who are curious and have questions about what it means to be a multisite church. I know, for us, campuses have changed the face of Living Hope.  

Campuses have allowed our church to grow smaller and larger at the same time. When I get to visit our campuses I enjoy seeing the community, friendships, and outreach that they do.  Each one is all unique, but all campuses have the Living Hope DNA.  

The conference begins Monday, and we are so excited to share what ONLY GOD has done with other pastors and their teams.

Please pray for our teams and also for the people driving or flying to Seattle.  I pray that God will speak to every leader and that every leader will listen to God.

Thank you to everyone who belongs to a campus and calls it their church home. Thank you to the campus pastors and their teams.   Great meeting today with the campus leaders.   Excited about the conference.  Well, I am "nervously" excited to share and excited to learn.

To know more about the conference just click here.

I love what God is doing in our generation.

There are so many churches beginning to drop the religious underpinnings and embrace grace.   Four years ago, we "lost" the list for baptisms and found what it means to more closely be an Acts 2 church.   A church that is really about ONLY GOD.   A church that holds losely to "plans" and tightly to "purpose".     A church that gives grace and speaks truth.     It has been quite the journey to see over 4400 people baptized in less than four years.  THANK GOD FOR HELPING US TO LOSE THE BAPTISM LIST.  It began a journey of learning what it means as a church that is willing to lose what doesn't matter in order to gain what will last for eternity.

My new prayer is that we would continually lose ourselves, our agendas, our plans, our "stuff" in order to find what matters.    Getting back from Kona, and watching the footage of 22 people baptized out of 140 people is a memory I hope to hold on to for my whole life.   I love the team in Kona.  I love seeing what ONLY GOD is doing 2600 miles away on an island in the name of Jesus.   Two words.....

I have talked to pastors around the world who have done spontaneous baptisms in the last year or so.    SO COOL.   In our generation, I believe we are seeing what it means to be an Acts 2 church.   To reclaim what matters.   To restore what has been stolen.   To reconcile the world to a God who is crazy in love with everyone. 

I met a retired pastor in Kona who had some words for me.   I listened to the wisdom of this pastor who God sent to speak words of encouragement into my heart.  

Thank you God for loving the Bride of Christ.   Thank YOU for using messed up people to be part of YOUR plan of redemption.   It's YOUR church and YOU will build it, and we will say ONLY GOD.

Funny thing.... Spontaenous baptisms, like small groups or evangelism were God's idea to start with.   In the book of Acts (the "history" of the church for the first 30 years) people were saved and baptized, many times on the same day.   I just watched a video of Mars Hill, who did a spontaneous baptism at Easter.    So inspiring.  I love what God is doing through Mark and his team in Seattle.

People ask about it.   Really, it is all God.   Jesus said "go and make disciples and baptize them..."    Simple. Identifying with Jesus.   An outward symbol of an inward commitment .  A towel is extra.  Keep it simple, give ONLY GOD the glory and rejoice with the people who turn their hearts to Jesus as all of Heaven rejoices with and for them.

Good to be home.  Excited about the weekend.  I want to talk about a different bridge this weekend.   I want to talk about the bridge we can't see.  

John

Pretty sure it is one of the most dangerous words in the Bible.

Tomorrow.    The dictionary accurately defines this word as "the day after today"   

I think it is dangerous.  I think it ought to have an asterik next to it.  I think it is a dangerous word because if we continue to be exposed to what God says and don't respond to what he says our hearts will become hard.

I can with accuracy track the times in my life where I said that fateful word.   Tomorrow I will pray.  Tomorrow I will give.  Tomorrow I will for sure spend time with my wife.  Tomorrow I will work out.   Doesn't the list go on and on?    I can tell you that never, did I procrastinate, did it result in something good.  Not at least for me.

Tomorrow seems to be a plausible word in some ways.   We like to put off until tomorrow what we could do today.   If you don't believe me just take a peek at your garage.

Tomorrow is a safe word.  It is a good sounding word.  It is a "normal" word, until it doesn't come.  

For pharaoh, he kept putting off what needed to be done for just a day.   His procrastination crippled his ability to lead, and disabled the entire nation of Egypt.

Read Exodus 8:9-10    "Moses said to Pharaoh, "I leave to you the honor of setting the time for me to pray for you and your officials and your people that you and your houses may be rid of the frogs, except for those that remain in the Nile....

... "Tomorrow," Pharaoh said.

Not sure about you, but I have a tomorrow problem.   There are things that I want to do, things I want to change, e-mails I want to send, bills I really "want" to pay but when the day is over, I have this tendency to let my tomorrow's change my destiny.

What have you been putting until tomorrow that needs to be done today?   A letter?  A commitment?  A phone call?   A conflict that needs to be resolved:   A dream that needs to become reality?   A life that needs to be reclaimed?   A marriage that needs to be restored?

So easy to put things off, not sure it is all that helpful.   Pharaoh learned the hard way.   His choice cost him everything.    Funny thing about choices, you get to make them and they get to make you.  I have learned the hard way as well in different seasons and various ways.

I choose today.

John

I heard such great things about the weekend.  Thanks Pastor Rick.

I am excited for what God is doing here in Kona.  So glad I was able to be here for what was the biggest single day in their history.   Standing room only, in fact people couldn't get in the building.    Many people came to Christ and I am believing God for amazing things here.  

Living Hope Kona has an incredible staff and leaders.   Thanks for your hospitality and friendship Brent, Linda and everyone.   I may even try to surf again....someday?

I was able to share in their first spontaneous baptism.   There were 2 children scheduled and 22 were actually baptized.  It was really cool.  Here's some pictures of an unforgettable day.

Seems sometimes we aren't sure why God allows "stuff" in our lives.   I think we want to "figure" it out when all God wants is for faith to work it out.

Paul, who wrote most of the New Testament had everything humanly possible (read Philippians chapter 3).  He was born into the "right" family.  He went to the "right" schools.  He accomplished humanly what only a handful of people ever had.   He thought "right", he acted "right", he lived "right" and yet when the day was over had nothing that mattered.  

All that changed on one fateful day where being "right" didn't matter as much.   He chose surrender to Jesus Christ.   He was the road from persecuting Christians on his way to Damascus to do his part to stomp out this new faith called Christianity that this guy who was always "right" eventually got right with God, which changed EVERYTHING ELSE ABOUT HIS LIFE.   Faith is like that.  God is like that.  He takes the most unlikely people to change the world. 

Paul's heart was forever changed and through his moment of surrender, he actually learned the value of Jesus being enough.  

He writed in what we know as 2 Corinthians 2:7-9, "to keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given to me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.   Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.    But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."    Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."

Here is a guy who was truly all that, but chose to become nothing so God would be glorified through his one and only life.  He truly chose the road less traveled of humility.   He chose sacrifice over comfort and danger over safety.   Here is a guy who millions have named their kids after, who has effectively changed millions and millions of lifes because of a moment in time where the God whom He was persecuting met him, broke him and then used him.

Paul had scars.   The scars were reminders of God's grace.   The scars were important.   He knew that, we forget that.  So often we want the result without going through the pain of the process.     The process is the thing God is most concerned with.  It is in the pain and through the scars that relationships are forged and character is formed.

Often times, the way of discipleship is the opposite of the world.   "God's power made perfect in our weakness?"    He asked for something to change.   In fact he pleaded with God.   I  suppose he could have chosen to say God you aren't taking away this thing (we don't know for sure what it was) so I am out of here.   He chose the road few find.  The road to say Jesus is enough.  His grace is enough.  His power is enough.   Talk about an ONLY GOD life.   Can't wait to meet him somday.....

I read this statement that I wrote in my Bible, "Man is broken, he lives by mending, the grace of God is glue."  Eugene O'Neil.

Paul did everything "right" but being right is never the end goal.  Being restored and reconciled to God and others is the goal.  

Is grace enough?

Is Jesus enough?

Are the scars God's way of reminding us what matters, who it is all about and how much we are loved?   I was thinking about this because 2 years ago this week I had a surgery because of malignant skin cancer (talk about a scary word).   I am one of the guys who was fortunate to survive cancer.  Often times I wonder why God allowed me to live and allows someone else to die?   BUT, I have a scar to remind me.  Not that pretty, but I cannot tell you how many times I have seen that scar on my leg and thanked God for allowing me to have cancer.  It gave me what I call Cancer Clarity.   It made me see so much so different. 

Are scars fun?  Heck no.   Are they going to happen.  Ya.   The question really isn't about scar avoidance, but rather scar awareness. 

Do scars matter? 

I think so.   Find God's grace in your "mess" and let His power be made perfect in your weakness.    When you do the world will see. When they see, they may not see you, but they will most certainly see ONLY GOD.  When that happens my friends, Christ's power will rest on you.   You will never be the same once that happens.

His grace is enough.

John

Excited to be at our Kona campus, as they are just a few weeks into their new journey and already the building is completely maxed out.    They are passionate to reach lost people, devoted to each other and KNOW how to stinkin have fun.

We got in Kona earlier this week.   Thank God for airline miles and available seats.  

I am speaking at the church this weekend.   I drove to the campus this evening with Michelle.  We sat there and just thanked God for this movement of grace that is happening all around us.  

So today we had surf lessons.   Thanks to Craig, Mary, Justin, Teresa, Jim and Brent.   We had a great lunch and had 2 1/2 hours of trying to surf.   I tried.   I couldn't quite get the stand up thing, so you could say I didn't surf.  I choose yes.    Pictures?   Buried in the sea of forgetfulness.    Memories.   PRICELESS.  

Michelle was able to stand up.   I know.  I will never live it down.   She is ready to go out again.....

Craig (the worship leader for the Kona campus) said he would take us out again before we go back home.    Tempting.   We will see.   I am getting reacquainted with muscles that I haven't known for years.  

I love, love, love the campuses.  I love seeing people released to change their world.  I love coming along side leaders and speaking life into them.  There are  SO many stories.  Please, if you haven't read the other campus pastor blogs.  They are amazing men and women who are deeply devoted to God and desperately focused on reaching the world with the message of a God that is crazy in love with them.   

I love what God is doing in Kona.   The team is pretty much spot on.  They just get what it means to be a church that will prevail.  Almost every day I have been here I have met people who are going to go or who do go to Living Hope Kona.  

WE ARE DOING THEIR FIRST SPONTANEOUS BAPTISM THIS WEEKEND.   Sweet as.

Excited for the weekend here, and back home.  We will be home early next week.   Trying to connect with people here, rest a little and spend much needed time with my family.

Hope your spring break is going well.   I have heard amazing things for the weekend back home.   You really seriously don't want to miss the weekend, as we continue in the new series "The Bridge"

Last week, learning about the priceless connection between Jesus (the vine) and us (the branches).   We learned that when you are being pruned it is because you are doing something right, and God is taking away what is good to bring what will be best.   Our goal is to stay, abide, remain.

I surfed.   You would be proud and you might have laughed.    Go ahead.  Laugh as you will.   I am a pastor/surfer dude.  

John

Here's a video I watched that is amazing. It is a short clip from an Oprah show.  You may have seen the whole show.

Imagine if you only had a month to live? What in your life would matter?  What would you do different?

Seems it isn't a question we think about very much until we are faced with our own mortality. 

Stories inspire us.  This story will move your heart.  

His name is Randy Pausch.  He is 47 years old.   He is a tenured professor at Carnegie Mellon University.  He is a devoted husband and a proud daddy.  His story will encourage you.It is a bit long (11 minutes) but well worth the watch.   It is a recap of his "last lecture" to a crowded room of 400 students.   This "last lecture" has been downloaded to more than a million people.

His story will make you think.  About your faith, about your family, about your friends, about what is important, and by default about what ...isn't so much.

By the way.   I choose Tigger......

John

Left overs.   We all know about them, most of us have eaten them and at times we get tired of them.    No offense, I love left-overs especially Turkey and Gravy.

And, what about the times when you go to eat the pizza that you are pretty sure has crossed the acceptable left over line?

I was thinking today how in life, we really settle for or tolerate leftovers, and in the process we miss SO much.   We miss what is and what could be because we "settle"

The story of the Bible is about some who settled and in the process gave left overs to God.

The last book in the Old Testament before 400 years of silence God, through the prophet of Malachi tells the nation about their left over-ness problem.

Spiritually, relationally, financially, even vocationally.    If you haven't you might want to read it.  4 chapters.  Easy read in terms of your time.  The time to read it is about all there is that is easy about Malachi.   Truth always challenges.  The reality of left overs always makes me think.  We want the result of TRUTH without the process and pain of getting there.   

Made me think....

Where in our lives are we settling for left-overs?  

Our relationship with God?   Time given, prayers uttered, grace received?

Our families?  Ever notice that kids continually get older?   Relational drift in a marriage?   Sucks to admit it if it is true, but only then can you "get back to what matters"

Our finances?  The one area we struggle to trust God in it seems most?

What about friendships?  Wounds of a friend (The Bible says) heals.   Two key words.... "wounds, ya they hurt" and "heals"     Notice the starting point?

I think so much of abiding/connecting and growing in our relationship with God is listening to Him and responding to Him.   The biggest "sticking" points in my faith have been times where I heard and didn't respond to God's Word.  Those defining times when I didn't really trust, I didn't reallly listen, I chose not to follow.

Believing has to result in obeying what Jesus wants for our lives, for our families, for our finances, etc.   Following isn't following if you don't follow...... (that my friends is a deep thought, you might want to write that down). 

Seriously though.   As you abide in Christ, He will through the Holy Spirit guide you, convict you, encourage you, strengthen you and ALWAYS SHOW you.    The step of obedience is the step of "following" Him.

Look at this verse.   It is spot on.

 24 “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. 25 Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. 26 But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. 27 When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”  Matthew 7:24-27

So, as we think about life, about following, about growing in our faith, what would be the next one step?   Where are we "hearing" and not "obeying" ?   Why are we so hesitant to trust what God says and wants?

I think when we continue to "settle" for left-overs we continue to stay in this place of self imposed mediocrity.  Truth is we were created to relate to God, to trust Him, to RESPOND to Him.  To continually give him more and more of our lives.   It is that sacred time where your faith runs into your Heavenly Fathers FAITHFULNESS.

Following is about dust.  Dust is about messy.   It costs you, but it will cost you more not to follow.  It will cost you more not to trust.  Faith really, when the day is over costs you something.   Not following and "obeying" will always cost you more.

Isn't there an old song, trust and obey...there is no other way?   Maybe we should learn it?....  Maybe you already know it.?.....

Balls in your court (as it is in mine).

John