One Person Can Make a Difference

The Video speaks for itself….

People may look at your weird at first for doing something out of the ordinary…..but it may not be too long after that they are joining you…. It only takes one person to step out and initiate change

Core Issues

I believe that our Character reveals the Core issues of our heart. Character is something I have always been passionate about while at the same time something I am constantly working on in my own life.  I want to be sure that I am the same person at home as I am at church. I want to be a man who models a genuine God Loving/ God fearing relationship. I don’t ever want to teach one thing and deliberately do another.  A quote that has always stuck with me that has challenged me to pursue good character is this. ” You teach what you know but you reproduce who you are”

AW Tozer says that character is revealed by these seven things:

1.     What we want most

2.     What we think about most

3.     How we use our money

4.     What we do with our leisure time

5.     The company we enjoy

6.     Whom and what we admire

7.     What we laugh at

You think that you are doing pretty good until you read a list like this!  I have to admit, after answering these question for my own life, I am convicted and have some work to do! Thank goodness for the Grace of God that allows us to deal with the Core issues!!

The Bubble

Today I was doing some thinking about my life. I love it. I think the thing that makes life so great regardless of where you are living is the people in it!! I have some great people that God has surrounded me with and allowed me to do life with. First and foremost my family… I have an amazing wife and the best son a father could ask for… secondly an incredible church family with some really genuine people who really love God in a real way…  I am the youth pastor at our great church and I work with a great group of people, it is so encouraging and healthy to work with such a great group of people… Looking at all the relationships in my life and looking at my schedule as a youth pastor, I am around christian people most of the time.  I am not complaining at all but it does bring one challenge into my life…. “The Great Commission”  I want to reach the lost with the incredible message of Jesus but the challenge for my life is honestly finding time to establish relationships with people outside of my “bubble”  I don’t want to get so consumed with my world that i forget about the people in the dying world, the peole that Jesus went to the cross for.  I recnetly read a blog by Jonathan Dobson called “Simplified Missional Living” I found his ideas very insightful and practical for people who are in the same boat as me.  Here are a few ideas on how to stay in touch with non chrstians in a very practical relational way! I am going to start icorporating these in my life

Eat with Non-Christians

We all eat three meals a day. Why not make a habit of sharing one of those meals with a non-Christian or with a family of non-Christians? Go to lunch with a co-worker, not by yourself. Invite the neighbors over for family dinner. If it’s too much work to cook a big dinner, just order pizza and put the focus on conversation. When you go out for a meal, invite a non-Christian friend. Or take your family to family-style restaurants where you can sit at the table with strangers and strike up conversations. Have cookouts and invite Christians and non-Christians. Flee the Christian subculture.

Walk, Don’t Drive

If you live in a walkable area, make a practice of getting out and walking around your neighborhood, apartment complex, or campus. Instead of driving to the mailbox or convenience store, walk to get mail or groceries. Be deliberate in your walk. Say hello to people you don’t know. Strike up conversations. Attract attention by walking the dog, carrying along a 6-pack to share, bringing the kids. Make friends. Get out of your house! Last night I spent an hour outside gardening with my family. We had good conversations with about four of our neighbors. Take interest in your neighbors. Ask questions. Engage. Pray as you go. Save some gas, the planet, and some people.

Be a Regular

Instead of hopping all over the city for gas, groceries, haircuts, eating out, and coffee, go to the same places at the same times. Get to know the staff. Smile. Ask questions. Be a regular. I have friends at coffee shops all over the city. My friends at Starbucks donate a ton of leftover pastries to our church 2-3 times a week. We use them for church gatherings and occasionally give them to the homeless. Build relationships. Be a regular.

Hobby with Non-Christians

Pick a hobby that you can share. Get out and do something you enjoy with others. Try city league sports or local rowing and cycling teams. Share your hobby by teaching lessons, such as sewing, piano, knitting, or tennis lessons. Be prayerful. Be intentional. Be winsome. Have fun. Be yourself.

It’s time to pop the bubble.  Anyone else have any ideas? Please comment and let me know

My Life, My Story

Welcome to my  blog!  I have wanted to start a blog for quite a while  now but for some reason I either  put it off  or just havent’ got around to it.  I plan to use this to share the latest happenings that take place in my life, to share things I believe God has been showing me and to just highlight some things I like. If you decide to be a  frequent visitor of this blog I hope the things you read inspire you, make you laugh and give you a little more insight into My Life, My Story

The look and feel of this blog may change in the next few weeks as I get a hold of this and also get the blog the the way I want it to look.  So Check back often and enjoy!