Have it All!

They were the kind of words that clear away fog so heavy we don't know it existed until it was gone.  Ever heard or read those words?  There are times we get so ingrained in an attitude or practice we are no longer aware we're believing or practicing them.  But by the grace of God, something finally comes and shakes us hard enough to clear the fog.

I was reading recently about two approaches we have available to us that determine A TON about how we live, talk, laugh, and worry:

We live with a scarcity mentality, or we live with an attitude of abundance.

I'm guessing many of us are living in world of scarcity, but don't realize it.  I'm sad to say that to some degree, when I first came across the thought, I found I was living more of a life of scarcity than I realized.  I was letting my life be dictated by a practice of holding tight!  Here's what I mean:

While most of take quick glances of our lives, see how busy we are, how much we pour our lives into things, and assume we're living into some sort of abundant, and possibly overwhelming life, we may be living into it with fear, rather than confidence.  

A life of scarcity, no matter how much we give, pour into others, or participate, stands on these grounds:

• The best days have most likely already passed, let's just make the best of the rest.
• Sure, be generous, but don't just go all out.  Otherwise there won't be enough for later.
• Everything bad is likely to happen as soon as tomorrow, in the blink of an eye.  Hold tight today!
• God was so good to us before that we can't just go on asking for more miracles.
• This is wonderful, but I'm bound to hit that wall anytime now.

A life lived upon abundance, however, has these subtle differences:

• The past has been great, but the best days ares surely yet to come.  Things can get better than this!
• I've always had enough, and there's always more coming!  God is limitless.
• Rest when you need to, work when you need to, play when you need to, let God do the rest.
• Things could get tough, but that won't stop me from letting today be great.
• God hasn't really even begun to show His sovereignty; wait until He really starts working!
• The more I give, the more this life, this faith, this world makes sense and means something!

The choice is ours.  Abundance or scarcity?   One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty (Proverbs 11:24).  

More to come!

Jason <><

Washboards Wreck Cars!

I watched a Myth Busters episode in which the idea of square wheels was tested.  The theory was that forward momentum, if the velocity was high enough, would assure just as smooth of a ride as round wheels.  In other words, if the vehicle traveled fast enough, it would stay level in the air rather than going up and down with the hard angles.

It didn't work because the vehicles could never overcome the initial shocks and blows created by the hard tires.  BUT, the theory stands to be true.  Even though every car tested eventually fell apart, the vibrations reduced drastically the faster the care went.

From this single episode, I have worked on developing two life practices.  One is to go faster rather than slower over the washboard-carved Nebraskan country roads so as to stay on top of the ruts instead of sinking into them.  Sometimes it works..

The other practice is applying this theory to life, faith, and leadership.  It's easy from moment to moment to sink into the ruts of a "washboarded" life, ministry, and faith.  But Paul reminds us to "press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called [us] heavenward in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:14).  In other words, let the momentum of your goal to encounter Jesus overcome the tendency to sink into the ruts--float over the setbacks that otherwise seem absolutely detrimental to the things we care about!

Yet, if this didn't work for the vehicles that were literally shaken to pieces, why should we as humans give it a go?  Because cars don't have Christ to hold them together as they gain momentum.  Humans DO.  Jesus is not only waiting at the end; he's bear-hugging us all along the way.


Keep the faith, keep looking forward, keep pressing on.  With Jesus, the sum of life is always greater than the parts!


More to come!


Jason <><

Sitting in the Back

Yesterday someone said that the worship from start to finish made it one of the top 10 at Horizons.  It was powerful!  And the best part is that it was good because it came from a whole community of passionate leaders.  The Worship Team put together a very insightful set of songs, our Veterans stood so that we could thank them, Sister Jessy broke and blessed our hearts with her testimonies, and Susan Sapp delivered a message and testimony that spoke directly to most of our hearts and situations.

It was all so good!

Another blessed part of yesterday was that I had the chance to visit the DZ hallways and the Fusion students, and I also had the chance to worship.

During the service, many of our personnel for the day will stand toward the back of the worship center so that they are vigilant and prepared to respond when needed.  I had the chance to stand with a group of them and simply hear God's words enter into my heart.  I also had the chance yesterday to see Horizons, the church that I love and serve, in full motion, holding and engaging the very Spirit and breath of God.  It affirmed in my heart that this is Jesus' church, Jesus' body in the living world.  I sat in awe of this dizzying encounter with what God is doing all around us and within us.  And I affirmed how little it has to do with me, and how much it has to do with what God is doing through me!

Sister Jessy continually said yesterday again and again:  "I don't know how to put into words what I see, but every time I come here, I see you and there is something very special going on here.  I see you and I see Jesus in you.  I see Jesus in you!"

Even from my view, sitting in the back, I too could see Jesus!  Thank you God for being at Horizons the very thing that brings our hearts to life!  Amen!


More to come!


Jason <><

Slips through Our Hands!

I am often reminded that the sole reason our churches and our entire faith lives exist is to serve, honor, draw near to, and exalt Jesus.  In the depths of what that all means, it's a very worthy pursuit, and it fulfills all other needs in the process.

But it's easy to find ourselves going in other directions.  Sometimes it's difficult to comprehend or feel like we really have a clear picture of what it means to put Jesus first in our lives.  Other times it just seems a little elusive.  One moment, we may think we have a pretty clear picture or grasp, and the next we're scrounging around on the floor again, wondering where we dropped Jesus.

Last week while on my planning retreat, I came across Paul's words in his letter to the church in Corinth.  What he says doesn't necessarily solve all things, but it certainly helps us refocus.  Paul says "...yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and from whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live" (1 Cor 8:6).

Simply put then, we live for God--to draw near, to love as He has called us to love, to do and to refrain as He has asked, and to share.  And the only way we can start this, do this, or fulfill this is through Jesus who brings us to life in the tender, yet bold ways that he lives in us.

I lift this up today for any who read and feel like Jesus often slips through your hands.  Maybe we'll get a better grip!


More to come!

Jason <><