Being Intentionally More Like Jesus

Yesterday I had my "annual" review at work ... now, considering I've only worked there for just over 4 months, annual is a relative term.

However, our Executive Pastor wants to have everyone on a single rotation for annual reviews, so I was included. We did both comment that it is hard to call this an annual review in my case, especially since I've just recently completed my 90-day employment review. But we were able to discuss things, and today's blog post is a part of that conversation.

One of the areas discussed was personal weaknesses. Our leadership team had provided a list of areas in which many people often struggle, and we could pull our personal issues from that list or add some of our own.

One area I chose was having a stronger heart for lost people.

In my life, I really don't have anyplace where I intentionally encounter lost people. I spend my day inside a church, specifically inside the worship center of the church, building computer presentations, light shows, and working to improve gear and sets.

When I leave work, I head home and spend time with my family over dinner before we each head off to our evening events.

I simply don't make the opportunities to connect with those who need the message of salvation the most.

It is not because I adhere to the teaching of some denominations: don't [fill in the blank], don't [fill in the blank], don't [fill in the blank]; AND don't hang out with those who do!

I disagree with that philosophy completely. It certainly isn't what Jesus did. And, as Christians, shouldn't we strive daily to be more like Christ?

It is simply because I don't step out of my comfort zone.

I need to be more like Jesus. I need to open myself up to the opportunities to bless those who need blessing. Not simply by giving a few dollars from my wallet to the guy on the street corner. I need to stop and listen to his story. I need to share in his life for some time. Maybe that simple "touch" from another human being is what it takes for him to hold on one more day.

I need to hold more doors for moms pushing strollers, and offer to reach for the milk on their behalf when their hands are full with a baby and a toddler.

I need to drop a note of encouragement to the person who serves behind the scenes, often unnoticed, helping to show how appreciated their efforts are to the team.

I need to ...

It all comes down to a choice. I need to choose to be intentionally involved in the life of others. No more hiding behind the scenes, simply making a great environment for people to encounter Jesus. I need to step out of my comfort zone and touch lives.

Only then will I truly be able to say I am following in the steps of the Savior.

What area of your life needs an annual review today? Where can you push yourself in your daily activities to become more like Christ?

How to Avoid Burnout

I recently read that burnout doesn't happen because we work hard. Burnout happens because we work hard without results.

This was tied to an article about pastors, but I believe it applies across the board.

If you follow this blog, you know that for 5 years I toured the country installing audio, video, and lighting systems (AVL) in churches. While I am now employed full-time at SoAcres Church (www.SoAcres.com) here in Lexington, I have the freedom to periodically help some companies with AVL integration.

While I was employed full-time in the AVL integration field, we worked hard. Our days often averaged 10 - 12 hours on the job site. We would be onsite around 9 am, leave for lunch sometime mid afternoon, and then return to work until 9 pm each day.

Frequently, due to fulfillment issues, gear would arrive later than expected, causing us to have to work even longer hours at the end of the week to complete the project.

Most jobs we had a hard deadline. The church needed the room for Sunday services. Often, they needed them Saturday early afternoon for rehearsal and then the Saturday night service followed by the Sunday morning service.

Each job was unique, yet each job had similarities to other jobs.

But each job had long hours.

Despite those hours, even if I had to forego sleep to ensure the project was completed on time, I always found joy when I stood at the back of the room in the production booth and celebrated the "win" with the church team. The win? People worshiping in the house of God.

It was the weeks where we worked long hard hours and I didn't get to stick around for the Sunday experience that were the hardest.

Now that I'm employed full-time at a church, I have the same feelings. I work during the week to program lights and video for the service. When I am able to be there Sunday morning and experience the worship, it makes the work of the week, no matter how frustrating it can be at times, worth the effort.

It wasn't quite as fulfilling when I programmed everything and then left for vacation. Sure, the vacation and time with family was great, but not having seen the result of my work during the week as the church worshiped, took something from the experience.

What is your "win" at your job? What brings the fulfillment to you for all the effort you put into each and every day?

If you don't know, you need to find the answer. It is in knowing why you are working; though the tasks are difficult, despite the many long hours, that keeps you from experiencing burnout.

Find your "win" today, and find more joy in your work tomorrow.

Don't Use the "D" Word

Last night as we were talking, my lovely bride told me about two encounters she had during her day. The first was a man who had been speaking ill of his wife. Fortunately, my bride didn't share any details, but it was clear the comments upset her.

The second encounter was on Facebook, where a different man said, "Sometimes being with her is just so hard, I often feel it isn't worth it."

As I sat thinking about those encounters later, I thanked God my lovely bride and I had made a pact, long ago, to do two things:

1. Private matters stay private ... they don't go outside of our home (the exception is when we share with our accountability partner to see what our part of the situation is and how it should be addressed.)

2. We will never, ever, use the "D" word.

The obvious "D" word to which I am referring is divorce. At no point in our 13 years together have we ever uttered that word to each other, to another friend, or even in our own minds. It is off limits! So is anything similar, like, "I'm leaving you" or "I can't do this any longer, I'm walking out."

Giving yourself no out, ensures that you won't be looking for one.

If we hadn't closed that door the day we married, if the "D" word had ever been an option, trust me, at some point or another over the past 13 years one of us would have taken it. It has been difficult at times, but then what relationship isn't?

But more than the big "D" word, we also choose not to use other "D" words.

Dumb.
Dopey.
Dork.
Dingbat.
Dumba**.
Dweeb.
Dense.
Dim-whit.
Dunderheaded.
Dumbsh**.

You see, the words you use paint a picture. And I don't want my bride to paint me as any of these. Obviously, there are other similar words that don't start with "D" I could have also listed, and those words are off limits as well. They simply didn't work with the topic today.

Colossians 4:6 says it best, "Be gracious in your speech. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them out." (The Message)

Words repeated became actions and habits.

You don't like the way your spouse reacts? Use positive, growth inducing words repeatedly to mold them into the positive person you desire.

There is a difference between growing them into a great person with words and simply nagging, however. You have to understand the difference.

The old adage, "fake it until you make it" rings true here. You might not believe the words you are saying today, you might not see your spouse the way you are describing them, but give it time. Eventually you will see them, and they will see themselves, in the positive way you speak about them.

It's true, you can't change a person. But you can love them into being a better person. I'm not sure, I haven't done the research, but I think that as we speak positive truth into a person, it really isn't them changing, it is our perception of them that changes. So in the end, we really haven't changed someone, we have changed ourselves.

After all, my perception is my reality.

So I urge you all, don't use the "D" word.

Leave a comment below and let me know what other "D" words I missed in my list above. And then also share what "D" words you need to delete from your vocabulary today.

My 100th Post - Always

Today marks a milestone at the 10:10 Muse ... it is my 100th post!

100 is a number that is often celebrated.

100 episodes is a milestone only the "best" (recognizing best is a subjective word) TV shows make ... so they celebrate.

100 is an age few humans reach, so the Today show brings you a cake (do they still do that?)

100 years is a number very few churches see, especially thriving, growing churches ...

So today I'm going to celebrate this milestone by talking about the lyrics of a song, Always by Kristian Stanfill.

The line of the song that goes: "Oh my God, He will not delay, my refuge and strength always" is where I want to land, but let's look at the entire song.

My foes are many, they rise against me. But I will hold my ground. I will not fear the war, I will not fear the storm. My help is on the way, my help is on the way.

Oh, my God, He will not delay. 
My refuge and strength always. I will not fear, His promise is true. My God will come through always, always.

Troubles surround me, chaos abounding. 
My soul will rest in You. I will not fear the war, I will not fear the storm. My help is on the way, my help is on the way.

Oh, my God, He will not delay. 
My refuge and strength always. I will not fear, His promise is true. My God will come through always, always.

I lift my eyes up, my help comes from the Lord. 
I lift my eyes up, my help comes from the Lord. I lift my eyes up, my help comes from the Lord. I lift my eyes up, my help comes from the Lord. From You Lord, from You Lord.

Oh, my God, He will not delay. 
My refuge and strength always. I will not fear, His promise is true. My God will come through always, always. 
Oh, my God, He will not delay. My refuge and strength always, always.

This song is a great summary of life. All around we have chaos. We face fears, foes, storms and sometimes war.

Yet God is our refuge and strength, always.

What we most often forget, especially in the midst of the chaos, is that God is with us, He has not left. However, we may not be looking at Him, but rather looking at the chaos and insanity.

In that instance, like Peter who walked on water while looking at Jesus' face, but then sank when he looked at the wind and waves; we too begin to sink.

But also like Peter, all we need to do to be rescued is to call out to God, "Lord, help me! I'm drowning."

Far too often, however, we wait until we are almost covered up. Sometimes we even wait until we are covered, and only our outstretched arm remains above the waves.

Yet all the time, God is right there longing for us to call out. He won't delay, He is our refuge and strength, always. But ONLY after we turn to Him. Only after we reach out to Him. Only after we call to Him.

That is how God shows His love. He stands there, waiting. Waiting on us. He loves us and doesn't want us to be hurt, doesn't want us to wander, longs for us to remain in Him. But He also wants us to want Him, so He never forces Himself on us.

But He also knows that we do wander, we do walk away.

So He patiently waits for our call. And when we call, He comes running.

What chaos, storm, war, fear, or foe are you facing today? You don't have to face it alone. God, your Heavenly Father is waiting for your call. And when you call, He won't delay. He will run.

All or Nothing - Part 2

Yesterday I discussed All or Nothing faith. I showed how Joshua and the Israelites exhibited all or nothing faith as they marched around the walls of Jericho. I discussed how Elijah exhibited all or nothing faith as he challenged the prophets of Baal.

Today I want to move to a New Testament demonstration of all or nothing faith.

Obviously, Jesus comes to mind. He certainly demonstrated all or nothing faith in every action. Give up Heaven and become human? All or nothing.

Walk on water? All or nothing.

Die on a cross? All or nothing.

Leave the expansion of your kingdom to a bunch of guys who just weeks prior had all deserted and in some instances denied you? All or nothing.

But today I want to focus on Paul. If you are unfamiliar with Paul, take some time to read the book of Acts in the Bible. Paul (formerly known as Saul) is first introduced at the end of Acts chapter 7. We see him again at the beginning of Acts chapter 8, also as Saul. But from Acts 9 until the end of the book of Acts, we really get to know Paul, and the impact his life had on the expansion of Christianity beyond the city of Jerusalem.

But my focus today is from one of the letters Paul wrote to one of the many churches with whom he worked. Take a look at I Corinthians 2:1-5 (The Message):

You'll remember, friends, that when I first came to you to let you in on God's master stroke, I didn't try to impress you with polished speeches and the latest philosophy. I deliberately kept it plain and simple: first Jesus and who he is; then Jesus and what he did—Jesus crucified. I was unsure of how to go about this, and felt totally inadequate—I was scared to death, if you want the truth of it—and so nothing I said could have impressed you or anyone else. But the Message came through anyway.  God's Spirit and God's power did it, which made it clear that your life of faith is a response to God's power, not to some fancy mental or emotional footwork by me or anyone else.

We so often view Paul as this bold man of God. He took the gospel to the gentiles. He stood up to the council in Jerusalem. He withstood beatings, ship wrecks, hunger, stoning, and lashings. He even sang in prison!

But here we read of Paul's all or nothing approach. Paul learned that if he didn't decrease, and Christ increase, the message of the gospel could not be made clear. Paul didn't rely on fancy methods, he simply told the story of Jesus.

God's Spirit and God's power did the rest.

I think that some times, especially in the modern church, we rely too much on fancy mental or emotional footwork. What we really need is all or nothing faith, lay it all out there and believe God's Spirit and God's power are enough.

This may sound funny coming from a guy who's career is making great worship environments. But sometimes I think all the gear, all the planning, all the work interferes with God's Spirit, God's power.

I know my heart, and I know the heart of our pastor, and many pastors around the country. For us, technology is simply a tool. God's power and God's Spirit are what we long to fill the room. Gear is nice, God is necessary!

So as you begin to fear, as you wonder what words to share with your hurting friend, with your neighbor who is lost, with your co-worker about to wander down a path you know only leads to destruction; move forward despite the fear. Trust that with all or nothing faith, through God's Spirit and God's power, life changing words and actions will come from you.

Fancy mental or emotional footwork isn't the key. All or nothing faith is what leads people from a life of sin to the saving grace of Jesus!

All or Nothing - Part 1

Today's blog topic comes from some reading I've been doing lately ... it has been a week since my last post. This wasn't intentional, I have a list of posts I want to write, it simply happened. However, in the time since my last post, this topic was placed on my heart and mind.

I read about the all or nothing attitude. It is an attitude we each must have if we are truly living in faith as Christians. Anything less, simply isn't trusting God.

You see this attitude throughout scripture.

Joshua and the Israelites demonstrated an all or nothing faith as they marched around Jericho for 7 straight days. These were impregnable walls, higher than any they had ever encountered. And God said simply march around the city, I (God) will bring the victory.

Imagine the excitement on the first day. Joy as they marched, expecting the miracle God had promised.

Now compare that to the disappointment when nothing happened.

Now stretch that out for another five days ... a total of six times they marched.

Combine that with the taunts and jeers of the residents of Jericho; those growing each day as the Israelites marched.

And each morning they got up and did it again. All or nothing. God had promised, and they marched in faith.

But to put this all in perspective, this was the generation that had grown up in the desert. These people had not crossed the Red Sea, had not witnessed the deliverance from Egypt, had not experienced God at Mount Sinai, had been witness to the death of the previous generation in the desert.

If any generation had a strong propensity to doubt, it was this generation.

Yet the faith of Joshua and the leaders helped the entire nation march.

And God showed up, on the seventh pass around the city on the seventh day, the walls fell down.

Or what about Elijah.

Elijah stood before the prophets of Baal, 450 of them, in an all or nothing challenge. Each team would build an alter, each team would then call out to their god to bring fire to consume the sacrifice. The god who burned the sacrifice would be the one, true God of Israel.

Now, this challenge wasn't issued in a time when things were great in Israel. The story is found in I Kings 18 in the Bible, and that chapter starts with, "A long time passed. Then God's word came to Elijah. The drought was now in its third year." (I Kings 18:1 - MSG)

In ancient times, when there was a drought, people believed it was punishment for sins. So in the midst of punishment, when all was about to be "lost" ... Elijah issues a challenge.

And to make sure it was "fair" he made sure the difficulty factor was skewed "against" him. Did you notice that? In the middle of a drought, in a face-to-face challenge, Elijah took the most difficult path to show God's power.

After allowing the opposing priests to call to their god all day, Elijah finally stepped up and said, OK, it is my turn.

But before I begin, I want everyone to know who my God truly is today. Cover everything with water. No, really cover it. Three times buckets of water were poured over Elijah's alter, covering the alter, the sacrifice, the wood, and filling a large trench around the alter. No fire existed, and the people knew it.

Only then, did Elijah begin to pray. And God showed up, consuming the sacrifice, the wood, the the stones for the alter, the dirt around the alter, and the water in the trench.

And there wasn't a guy standing on the sideline with matches and some flammable products; it was Elijah and his all or nothing faith in God.

So as you wake up each day, ask God what He is asking you to face with all or nothing faith. What area of your life requires you stand in the face of certain defeat, staring into the void; yet standing fearless because God is right there with you? How can you further God's kingdom here on earth today with your all or nothing faith?

All or nothing. It isn't something we are comfortable doing, isn't something we are even comfortable considering, especially as American's who have so many comforts. Yet the most impact for God's kingdom comes when we step forward in faith; all or nothing.

God does it all, when we offer Him our nothing.

You Have to Work at It!

Monday is my day off from work. So Monday turns into being a busy day. I have laundry, sometimes dishes, often yard work, bills, and other "things" that pile up during the week screaming for attention.

But my body also needs down time ... rest. God designed us that way. In fact, He rested after creation, setting the example that was then "codified" in the Ten Commandments.

So often, I find myself needing to do work, but also desiring rest, down time.

But as I was working in the yard this past Monday, noticing how much our yard has deteriorated over the 10 years we've lived in the house, the thought, "You have to work at it!" came to mind.

There are so many things in our life at which you have to work. Yet, I find, human nature is more often than not to simply coast along.

We had a great yard when I moved in, simply mowing and trimming should be enough. Nope!

Weeds creep in, clover creeps in, crabgrass creeps in; and before you know it, your yard is no longer great. It now is overgrown with things you will take months clearing out.

She loved me so much when we were first married. I can just coast on that. Nope!

Relationships are hard. Marriage is very hard. Just because there was love at the beginning, doesn't mean it will stay strong. Just as with a yard, things creep into your marriage and cause damage.

That comment you made, jokingly ...

That movie you watched, but knew you shouldn't ...

That night you were out too late with your buddies ...

That lingering touch of the coworker ...

All are weeds, clover, and crabgrass to a marriage. And before you know it, the love you once shared, so depended on keeping you together, has been choked out.

So I mowed my lawn yesterday. And when she got home, my wife said the yard looked great. I said, "No, it looks mowed. But it is far from great."

And so many marriages are the same. From the outside, at a distance, they look great. But upon closer inspection, there are issues growing up that need attention.

Everything in this world deteriorates. That is a consequence of sin. Lawns, cars, houses, clothes, and marriages.

Without work, without ensuring you are putting your focus on the right things: watering, weeding, pruning for lawns; dates, truly listening, supporting, encouraging, loving for marriages; these too will deteriorate.

What are you neglecting in your life today that could use refocused attention?