What if we failed forward?

What if our failures propelled us toward something different? Something that was positive, hopeful, and promising? What if our failures caused us to examine ourselves and make changes? What if our failures moved us toward people and community instead of away from it? What if our failures helped us to learn responsibility, humility, and grace? What if our failures helped us to become a better person, a person who makes a positive difference in the lives of those around us?

Do you know Mike Tyson’s story? He failed. His past is one of poor decisions and behavior. They were not small things done in the privacy of his home or life, but they became nationally publicized actions of wrong behavior in his career (biting an opponent), his personal life (rape and abuse), and his finances. At one time, he was a leader, a role model, and a very famous person. Then a series of mistakes led him spiraling down, down, down, until he hit a very low point in life.

That is not where Mike’s story ends though. Mike held on, and although it took time to show to others, Mike fell forward. Through time, hard work, and a great deal of humility, Mike has started a new life while taking responsibility for his past. He is not running and hiding from what was, but he is believing in what is and what can be.

Mike and I have something in common. Mike’s story may be known to others, while my story is more personal, but the bottom line is we both failed.

Failure hurts!

There is no easy way through it. Mike’s failure not only hurt him, but it hurt others too. In my story, I was hurt by others and I allowed that hurt to grow inside of me. That hurt led to fear, brokenness, and insecurity. It led to doubts, questions, and lack of trust. It kept me from believing that God could make a difference. My issues did not just hurt me, but they hurt others. I disagreed with and was somewhat rebellious toward someone I truly cared about and respected, damaging that relationship and those of others around us. Even worse, though, I disagreed with and disrespected God.

Besides failure, Mike and I have something else in common. We have chosen to take responsibility for our past, and to allow our failures to motivate us to move toward a different future. There are days I wish I had a story like Mike’s, a story of a moral failure. My story led to being removed from my church with a charge that I was unsubmissive and did not belong in the Body of Christ. Failure can lead to shame, and there is tremendous shame when even in your greatest need you are turned away from the Body of Christ.

I changed, repented, and have overcome the issues from my past; however, I still am walking through the ramifications of putting my life back together. Mike is on that journey too. It is a hard journey, with many, many obstacles, but there is one thing that is helping us, God. Second chances are not always offered by men and women, but God has promised us that if we repent, turn from our past, and believe in him, then we will be forgiven.

I have never met anyone famous. I don’t know if I even want to since there are so many expectations tied to such a meeting.

I think it would be different if I were to meet Mike. He is not just someone famous; you see I know we have something in common. We both sinned. We both have had our lives changed by God and because of that, we are different people. We were given a chance for new life, a life that matters.

I don’t know for certain what Mike believes. Some say he is a Christian. I have heard him testify of his belief in God. What I do know is that Mike has a past, yet he also has a future. He is trying to be a different man, and I would be honored to spend eternity with him as my brother.

We all fall at times, but when we fall forward onto our knees, confessing our sin, repenting of our past, and finding freedom and forgiveness through Christ, we find a very different future.

I have learned that I will fail, but from now on, I will fail….forward. We are never beyond second chances. 

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This post is a part of the Never Beyond poster series led by People of the Second Chance. This series is asking us to ponder and rethink who we consider beyond a second chance. Please check them out at their website, or on Facebook.

Our name is part of our identity. It is something that travels with us through life. Some people change their name, become known by a nickname, or choose to be known by their middle name instead of their first name, yet we all have names.

We also all have a purpose. If we talk with others in a social setting for more than just a few moments one of the very common questions is what do you do for living. Are you a teacher, a manager, a pastor, support staff, a sales person, a paper pusher, or a stay at home parent. There is something (maybe multiple things) that we spend the majority of our time doing. These shape us, but are they who we are?

I am in the process of looking for a new job.

In that process, a lot of time is spent thinking about and talking to others about what you do for a living, what you enjoy doing, what type of a job you want, and what you were designed to do.

What do I do for a living? I am a project manager.

The answer to what I am designed to do is very different. What I am designed to do is revealed in how I do my job as a project manager. 

I am an obstacle mover, an equipper, a motivator.
I turn ideas into reality.
I see problems as opportunities.
I help others do the best they can do.
I open doors, empower miracles, and move mountains.
I  create, dream, lead, launch, drive, remove, confront, move, comfort, guide, point, give, support, and release.

We are created by God, and he has designed us with a purpose. We have been designed to do something. The first thing each of us is created to do is glorify God. We do that through different means, but each of us can bring him glory.

I am learning that when we live out what we are designed to do, that is what brings God the most glory.

In my day job, I am a project manager. In other roles through volunteer and ministry work, I am still an obstacle mover, equipper, and motivator. I thrive when I help others do the best they can do. I work to open doors, empower miracles in others lives, and move mountains.  I live a life of action where I create, dream, lead, launch, drive, remove, confront, move, comfort, guide, point, give, support, and release.

It looks different in my different roles, but I am designed to love, launch, and lead others.

What are you designed to do? Are you living it out in your job, your home, your family, your friendships, your service, your relationships, your life? 

I believe in you!

In the face of my circumstances, those four words gave me hope. They encouraged me to believe. They gave me something that I lacked….courage.

This year I made a goal to be intentional. To make my decisions and actions with thought, passion, and purpose. However,  few months ago, I again faced some circumstances in life where dreams did not develop as planned, where hopes were derailed, and were I lacked courage.

Adversity has a way of revealing our true character.

The circumstances I faced were not just disappointing, I felt opposed. This time there were no words of “I believe in you”. Instead the door was closed, and I was turned away. I wanted to fight back.

Over these last few months as I have worked through the adversity there is a price I have paid that I had not seen coming.

I felt opposed, but what actually was opposed was my creativity.

Creativity takes space, freedom, energy, passion, enthusiasm, and confidence. 
Creativity comes from down deep, and when our heart, purpose, and actions are opposed, our creativity is opposed. 

I believe in the Body of Christ. We all have a role, a place, and things to share that are valuable to others. I have a heart for others. I want to see others excel at their purposes and their dreams. I want encourage them, support them, and help them build the confidence and courage they need to excel.

As leaders, managers, parents, teachers, neighbors, spouses, friends, and even as servants we are in a role to build up others. Every day we pass by people we could encourage. We have the ability to release the creativity in others. To free them from any opposition or adversity the might be facing.

This week I saw a movie trailer that posed a couple of questions. “How do we inspire ourselves to greatness when nothing less will do? How do we inspire everyone around us to do the impossible?”

Where can you be inspiring others to use and explore their creativity? It might be as simple as four little words. 

I believe in you … Go for the gusto … Reach for the stars …. Live to the fullest … You are so talented … Dream the impossible dream!

I have been thinking about the freedoms we have that others may not  be able to share. Sometimes that is due to cultural and political issues, sometimes it is due to persecution, or poverty, or war, and sometimes it is due to their own choices.

• Freedom of speech
• Freedom of religion
• Freedom to take action against injustices
• Freedom to vote
• Freedom to purchase resources, including housing, water, electricity, medical care, and food
• Freedom to choose our relationships
• Freedom to learn, grow, and change
• Freedom to own property and belongings
• Freedom to go where we want
• Freedom to celebrate, rejoice, be joyful
• Freedom to love, forgive, show mercy

On the east coast of America it is already evening and many have been eating and celebrating for hours, anticipating nightfall and the darkness that makes fireworks spectacular. At each celebration I hope there is a remembrance of those who have paid the price for these freedoms we celebrate.

Children’s books? Movies? Science Fiction? 

Art? Movies? Books? Music? Photography? Acting? Poetry?

A Christian conference? Wait…..what?

Imagine a conference where this is all brought together in a multi-sensory experience, designed to inspire, and entice your creativity.

STORY was designed for the creative class of Christian leaders. A place to connect, to dream, to refresh and inspire them to new places.

Oh, you don’t see yourself as one of the creative class because you aren’t a leader on a worship team, or guiding others along a creative process? I know EXACTLY how you feel. When I walked into STORY 2010 I wondered why I was there. What had I gotten myself into? Why was I alone and attending a conference in Illinois when my entire community was back home in Oregon and I wasn’t leading anything creative with anyone. Two days later, I was so blessed and changed by what I had experienced.

A fire starts with a spark. A movement starts with one step. A dream starts with a stirring of the heart. 

Take a look at STORY.
Consider it, pray about it, dream about it.

Allow your creative side to tell you if there is anything you could learn, dream, or do differently.

The early bird discount for the conference ends today, May 31st, so if you are ready, take a risk and come along for a wonderful, imaginative, creative, and inspiring experience. There is still room, so if you are not ready today, keep dreaming and investigating. Revisit the site and consider coming along for an imaginative and awakening experience. I am sure you will be inspired!

GRACE

AMAZING GRACE

It is a word I have heard many times in life, but to be honest, I don’t understand it.

That is kind of hard to admit. As a Christian, especially one in leadership, I feel like it is something I should understand. But…sadly, I don’t.

Grace.

Such a small word, but such a big concept.

I belong to a movement of people called, People of the Second Chance. We believe in unleashing radical grace, liberating love, and overthrowing judgment. A group of members of this movement are part of something called the Grace Mob. We reach out to others in need of love, encouragement, hope, and grace. Many times this takes the form of words through email, twitter, or cards, but occasionally we find practical ways we can assist someone in need.

I love what the group does, but I honestly wonder how much of it is about grace. I think a lot of what we practice is really just love and compassion. It has left me wondering if I really understand grace.

If I don’t understand grace, then how can I unleash it toward others?

If I don’t understand grace, then how can I accept it from Christ?

Grace is defined in dictionaries as: 1) favor or good will, 2) a manifestation of favor, especially by a superior, 3) mercy; clemency; pardon,  4) favor shown in granting a delay or temporary immunity. 5) the freely given, unmerited favor and love of God. 6) moral strength

Other authors such as Tony Compolo (http://redletterchristians.org) and Tom Davis (http://blog.beliefnet.com/redletters/) have also inspired and called Christians to live out a biblically based faith that matches scripture.

As I have been reflecting on Stearns story and message I am left considering how closely my life matches with scripture. Are there parts of scripture that I know but refuse to align my life with?

• Do I hold other things as a “god” in my life above the Lord?
• Do I keep the sabbath holy?
• Do I take a day to rest my body, mind, and spirit?
• Do I follow where the Lord leads, or do I make my plans and ask the Lord to bless them?
• Am I living a call to “go and do likewise” (Luke 10:37 NIV) and to “go and make disciples (Matthew 28:19 NIV)?
• “If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?” (1 John 3:17)
• Is my heart turned to other things besides the Lord? “If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything” (1 John 3:20)

I want to live a life based on truth, on scripture, and on God’s wisdom. It is hard to swallow how far I have to go, but I am thankful that God is forgiving and patient, caring more about who I am becoming than who I am today.

If you cut out everything in the Bible you do not believe or are not willing to apply in your life, would your Bible be full of holes?

What is it we are not willing to believe and/or apply?

Other days, choosing to believe comes as easily as breathing.

I have been reminded lately though that just believing isn’t enough.

I can believe my car will start, but I still need to turn the key to make it happen.

I can believe that the orphans and fatherless will be taken care of, but someone needs to take action to make a difference in their life.

I do believe that I have things I can change in this world, but they will never change unless I take action.

Believing may be tough some days, or easy on others. Either way, believing alone is not enough.

What do you believe in enough that you are willing to take action on this week?

Most of us do not think of prison very often. In our modern-day terminology it is a concrete building with metal or stone fences enclosing people who have been convicted of not following societies rules. It is a place that is removed, set aside, and avoided.

In reality, many of us are living in prison every day. The prison of unforgiveness, the prison of expectations, the prison of need. We are living lives of such brokenness that each day has moments that are difficult to walk through. Memories haunt us. Situations are avoided. Conflict lingers, causing us to rethink things.

In Matthew 18, we are told of a story where Christ was sharing with the disciples about forgiveness. It is a much more important issue than most of us realize. Rather than working through issues, we continue to live broken lives, refusing to let Christ enter into the conflict and bring healing. Like the unmerciful servant we have been forgiven, a debt that is far more than we could ever repay.

““But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded. “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’ “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened. “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.

“This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.” ” (Matthew 18:28-35)

Are you living in darkness? In a prison of your making? Are you living in a prison of unforgiveness from others?

Sins, brokenness, pain, and need that are left in the darkness will suffer, fester, and grow causing us to wither and die. They need to be brought into the light.

That is exactly what Christ came to change. “He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God,  to comfort all who mourn”

When we let Christ enter into our pain, our brokenness, our need, we find freedom and release. There was darkness, there was a need for rescue, hope, light, and redemption. We knew what it was to live in darkness, in prison. Through Christ, our lives can be changed. My life has been changed, and with incredible joy I love to share about the amazing things He has done and is doing in my life.

Thank you Lord for seeing me as I really am, releasing me, and changing my life. Now, as my life overflows I get to share that joy and hope with others!

We have all had moments where anxious thoughts rise in our heads and hearts. Something makes us feel uncomfortable, ill at ease, alone, or unnerved. The future may not be known, past circumstances weigh on our minds, or the present situation is tense or uncertain.

The ideas of danger, misfortune, or worry actually cause a response in our body, our mind, and our spirit.

It can keep us safe. It can prepare us for greater danger. It can also keep us from trust, hope, peace, and joy.

Trusting God

King David was one of the strongest men in history. He led a nation, he fathered a family, he guided a people, and he also had an incredible need for God. One thing is very clear from David’s story. He was a man who made some bad decisions, that lacked wisdom, guidance, and peace, yet he knew where to turn when he had a need in his life.

In Psalm 139, David turned to God saying, “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.” He didn’t hide his need for God. He was not a perfect man, and he knew that he needed the Lord to provide direction and guidance, and bring peace to his anxious thoughts.

A moment of anxiety or uneasiness usually doesn’t create a lasting effect. Sometimes we can even laugh about it after the fear or adrenaline has passes.

What happens though, when anxiety goes a  little extreme?

The uneasiness turns to fear. The uncertainty moves toward confusion. Adrenaline overpowers the body.

A moment turns to something more. A little turns to a lot. Something small turns into something big.

That is what can happen in a car accident, a disaster, an assault, a war. The body, mind, and or spirit is traumatized and it responds to the extreme.

This is the ground where Post Traumatic Stress (PTSD) is created.

Post-traumatic stress disorder is based on anxiety. The causes are not completely known, but it can occur after a major event of stress, trauma, or threat. A person does not even have to experience the event but only needs to see, or be affected by it. Certain events may produce stress or anxiety in anyone, but that doesn’t mean everyone involved will experience PTSD. It depends on your temperament, your resources, your perceptions, and your state of mind at the time of the events.

However what if you do experience PTSD?

That is the question I have had to wrestle with, because I live with PTSD.

I live with anxiety that is a little out of control. I live with a body that doesn’t always respond the way I want it to. I live with a mind that can get frustrated or confused more easily than others. I live with doubts and questions. I live with a constant reminder of the trauma of my past.

However, like David, I also live with the knowledge that I need the Lord to provide direction and guidance, and bring peace to my anxious thoughts. I live with the knowledge, the hope, and conviction that Chris holds the answer to my anxiety.

PTSD is something that only about 7-8% of American’s experience in their lifetime. Women are twice as likely as men to wrestle with this disorder. Sometimes it lasts for only a short time, while others may suffer from the effects of PTSD for years.

There are three main groupings of symptoms experienced by those who live with PTSD.

• Re-experiencing of the trauma (troublesome memories, flashbacks, nightmares and/or dissociative reliving of the trauma)
• Avoidance of places, people, and experiences that remind the sufferer of the trauma or a general numbing of emotional responsiveness
• Physical symptoms such as sleep problems, trouble concentrating, irritability, anger, poor concentration, blackouts or difficulty remembering things, increased tendency and reaction to being startled, hyperarousal and hypervigilance (excessive watchfulness)

My anxiety comes from trauma in my past. I re-experience the trauma, over and over again. I experience many of the physical symptoms where my body responds to triggers that remind it of something threatening, even if it isn’t true. When that happens, I have to work hard to bring it to a place where it is calm and relaxed. Places, people,and experiences remind my mind and body of the trauma.

Good News Bad News

The best way to cope with PTSD, is to avoid situations where I might be reminded or triggered and where my anxiety and responses accelerate.

Veterans with PTSD may never be able to return to war. Abuse survivors avoid contact with their abusers or situations that remind them of where the abuse occurred. Those who experienced a plane crash or train wreck may never choose that mode of transportation again.

We look for places to feel safe. Places where we are accepted. Places where positive and uplifting things bring joy and hope instead of anxiety.

We make choices that provide a sense of security, often living in a place of comfort and security rather than taking risks and stepping out into the unknown.

This trauma, stress, anxiety, and the ongoing ramifications of living with PTSD may be the event that leads a person to ask questions about religion and faith. Faith, and church may be the place that is needed to bring the peace, hope, and calm that is needed in the healing process.

The question I wrestle with is, where do you go
when church is what triggers your PTSD.

My trauma came through the church, through abuse.

Where do you turn when church is the place you most want to be,
yet it feels like the most unsafe place in the world?

Charity is also prevalent throughout our culture. We are asked to give to causes, to support non-profits, to participate in food/clothing/goods drives, and to help organizations meet their goals to do something to better society. The question is why do we give?

A few days ago Tom Davis from Children’s HopeChest posted this video on his blog. It presents some challenging thoughts about capitalism, charity, giving, and the motivations behind it. It pushes us to think if even well-known and strongly supported models may not be doing the good we think they are.

One of the responses to that post raised some questions that really affected my thoughts after viewing this video.

• Does God need charity? We are all created in His image, might charity steal the image of God in people?
• Can true charity exist when there is no pain, risk, and/or suffering in my giving? Should the point of charity be – I put myself in a place of suffering so that others don’t have to die; so others might live.
• Does Jesus call us to stop suffering or join others in suffering?

Is charity hurting or helping? Are there other models that work better?

Is there a way to recreate society? Our church? Our family? Our own thinking?

Love is most often referred to as an emotion, a feeling, a thought, a belief.

Scripture presents a different view of love. Love is a call to action.

One of the most well-known verses in scripture tells us, – -

“For God so loved the world that … ” (John 3:16)

Love moved God to action.

Love should move us to action.

“And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Matthew 22:39)

Loving others should not be about how we want to love, but about how they need us to love.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. (John 13:34)

“Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” (1 John 4:11)

“We love because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:19)

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)

Where is God asking you to love in an active and tangible way?

I encountered one of those new stories this week. Google, the search engine company, has pulled together a symphony of musicians from all over the world. They are talented musicians, some playing instruments that are known to me such as the guitar, tuba, trombone, and clarinet. There are also other instruments such as this Guzheng player from China. The Guzheng is an instrument that a lot of the world has never seen or heard before.

I recognize I am a lover of music, so my opinion may be biased, but I think this is a beautiful instrument.

As I watched Su Chang play, I thought about creativity and innovation.

Most of us may be talented, and be able to accomplish things that are known, established, or standard. It is the truly creative and innovative people who look at life and come up with new and unknown ways to do things.

I want to find that creative and innovative side, where we move our dreams into reality. I want to at least consider those thing the world has never seen or heard before.

Here’s to dreaming!

In the New Testament, there are five places where “if” is used in conjunction with “possible”. These scriptures point out how fragile and weak our faith can be.

Jesus warned us about the future when he said, “For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect—if that were possible.” (Mt 24:24)

In Matthew 9:21-23, “Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?” “From childhood,” he answered. “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”  “ ‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes.”

At the beginning of Luke, we are even shown how “if” is tied with doubt and questions. Nothing undermines our faith more than doubts and questions about the character and identity of God. “The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Christ.” (Lk 3:15)

Paul uses these two words in a slightly different context when he challenges us, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” (Ro 12:18)  Paul knew it there were those that would oppose believers. Even other religious individuals would oppose those pursuing Christianity, but he also knew that with Christ, “everything is possible for him who believes”.

The fifth occurrence where if and possible occur together is said by Christ himself. Even he had questions and maybe even doubts, but he also had faith.

Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”  (Mt 26:39)

He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”  (Mt 26:42)

Christ shows us how we need to respond. Even he asked, “if it is possible”, but then he continued with accepting God’s will. He responded to his doubts and questions by honestly sharing them and then moved past them, choosing what he knew was the best thing.

Where are you saying “if”? Are you asking if something is possible? How can you move past your doubts and questions, being honest about them, and choose what is best instead of living in the lack of faith that can come from over using IF?

Last week I posted about my One Word for 2011.

I did not know at that time that God has been working on Alece’s heart and her connections to move One Word into something more than just a thought in her life.

Through Alece, OneWord2011 has been established. It is tied to her main blog Grit and Glory

As she says, “One little word can make a big difference.”

I have seen many others post their “One Word”.  Here are a few of them.

Humility

New

Abandonment

Deliver

Hope

Focus

Honesty

Surrender

Abide

Sacrifice

Courage

Challenge

Listen

Better

Do you have One Word that is driving you to this year? Is the Lord trying to speak something to you?

Do you have a friend, family member, teach, coach, mentor, boss, coworker, or leader who believes in you?

I grew up in an environment with few adults other than my parents making a lasting effect on my life. My family moved every few years, so making lasting relationships was difficult. I did not have coaches, mentors, teachers, or leaders who were in my life for more than a short time, and none of them made a deep, long-lasting impact.

When I entered high school I met a man who became a mentor, leader, and friend. He is the first person I can remember telling me he believed in me. His faith, hope, belief, and perseverance toward me impacted me deeply.

Today, I was sharing with someone I believe in. This person is going through a very difficult time, but I still believe in who they are, what they have been made for, what they can accomplish, their heart and hopes. It was hard for them to hear that during a time where they have been under such negative feedback and struggle, but I hope the words touched their heart and gave them courage.

This past year I have met someone people who believed in me. Their belief has made a tremendous difference in my life. A pastor believed I was worth a second chance and provided an open door for me. A manager believed I could take on new projects and fought to keep me in a time of change and layoffs. A ministry leader believed that I would thrive and serve the ministry even better if I was given an opportunity to serve with my gifts rather than where the hole in the ministry existed. A leader believes that my dreams were valuable and possible and has chosen to walk with me this year to help me make a dream turn into reality.

Having others believe in us, empowers us to change, to hope, to dream.

It releases something inside of us, and helps us to see something in ourselves to believe in.

Who believes in you? Who are you believing in, empowering, and encouraging?

We never know what lies on the other side of the door, but we are in charge of the choices we make. We always have the ability to choose.

In November I sat down with a friend for a face-to-face time. It was one of those precious conversations that there never seem to be enough of in life. A time of truth, honesty, transparency, and openness. Words were shared, that brought encouragement and hope.

We need conversations like that in our lives. They bring life to us.

We are made to share with others.

In that conversation my friend held me accountable. He expressed concern that I might be overextended, and that I might be involved in some of the activities I had said “yes” to for the wrong reasons. I am so thankful for accountability in my life. There are few who are willing to openly share advice and concern like this.

After a lot of soul-searching I can honestly say I have not said “yes” for the wrong reasons. I have not said yes because of my ego, or my quest for identity. I have not said yes because I am avoiding something or trying to make something out of less. I have not said yes because I am unable to deal with something else.

I have said yes because I genuinely care about, want to be a part of, and feel called to each area. I have said yes because of what the Lord has done in my life. I have said yes, because there is a treasure worth all I have to give. I am trusting the Lord to give me what I need to follow through with all I need to keep those commitments.

Hard work lies ahead. I already know that my plate is full, and that as I walk into 2011, I will have to choose. This year….

I will have to choose what is best, instead of just what is good.

I will have to choose to do what is right, instead of just doing some right things.

I will have to choose people over programs.

I will have to choose faith over doubt.

I will have to choose risk over comfort.

What does this year hold for you? Are you ready to take some new risks and try something new? Are there things you are saying yes to, for the right reasons?

That is all I wanted.

One word, to work toward for the next twelve months. 

I waited, and waited, and waited.

Many words came and went. They would be great goals. They would be ambitious things to work on.

They looked good. They were good. . . . and they would take me in the wrong direction.

Back to the drawing board, I waited again.

The dark days of winter mixed with the frenzy of the holidays seemed to blur together and still what I was looking for wasn’t appearing.

Maybe I was looking and waiting for the wrong thing, but I kept feeling like I needed to look, to wait, to seek.

In the waiting, the seeking, the hoping, I found what I wanted.

One word. One goal. One focus for 2011.

This next year will be filled with so much. I already know of huge things that lie ahead, and I am sure there is much more to come.

As I move into 2011 I wanted focus. I wanted to cut down the noise of life and center myself in a specific direction.

This year, will be about INTENTION which is defined as:  an act or instance of determining mentally upon some action or result; meaning; significance.

I am looking forward to this coming year like no other in my life.

I am making intentional choices, and moving forward in intentional ways.

We look for hope, for purpose, for inspiration while eating too many sweets and searching for the perfect gift.

Hope, an elusive state. We use it as a noun to describe a feeling, and as a verb to describe the actions behind the feeling.

Hope isn’t found in a snowman, a red-nosed reindeer, or a jolly elf. Hope isn’t found in gifts, trees, decorations, or food.

It is there in the middle of the season, but at times it can seem to be just out of reach.

Hope comes from the birth of a baby. A tiny blessing that arrives at a time in history where hope seemed to be only a distant memory.

It comes not just from a baby, but because of who the baby is, and he will fulfill.

He is incarnate. He is God in human form, who came for us. He came to take our place. To pay a price we can not pay.

He came to save, to restore, to redeem. He came to give life.

It is written, “He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners” (Isaiah 61:1b)

The Lord’s coming is a time of joy, peace, and hope, but it is also the coming of change, the fulfillment of promises, and the entrance of a warrior who came not to bring peace to earth, but a sword. He came to show us righteousness, holiness, and truth.

During this season, I hope that you will find the joy and hope that can be elusive, and that you will glimpse the righteousness and holiness that have changed history, and changed lives.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:1)

The last few months have been a season where I needed to step back from sharing so that I could listen.

It is hard to listen when we speak.

Our heads are full of what we want to say, not what we need to hear.

So, I took a season to stop, wait, listen, and receive.

I took a season to let myself be changed from the inside out.

So much has changed. So much is new.

Much has been confirmed. New dreams have been birthed.

I look forward to seeing where the Lord leads next, as I know he is not done with me yet….and for that I am tremendously thankful!

During this Christmas season I am reflecting on a tiny baby, something so small and ordinary, who grew into a man who changed the world.

Seasons may come and go. I don’t know what lies ahead, but know that it will involve following the Lord.