my life…in text format

Every now and then, I’ll walk downstairs and my dad will be watching one of those shows on the Discovery or Learning Channel about how those crazy tall skyscrapers are built. The process, the technology, the equipment…it’s all very fascinating. One thing you don’t see a lot of on those shows, in the midst of the monstrous cranes and beans heavy enough to crush a man like a rotten tomato, if you notice, they don’t spend a lot of time on the foundation and how it’s built.

Why not? The foundation is one of THE most crucial components of the entire building. A faulty foundation, even off by inches will create thousands of dollars worth of setbacks and potentially risk the lives of thousands of people.

So why not talk about it? If I’m a person who works or resides in that building, I want to know that the foundation is solid. Sure, I would love the unique design and great view of a fancy skyscraper, but if it’s sitting on a faulty foundation, I’d rather live in a two story, crappy-view-of-the-building-right-next-door apartment that has a good foundation.

We need to remember the foundation. It’s what everything else is based on. Literally. I constantly need to be reminded about trusting in Christ as my Savior.

Why? I’m a Christian. I’ve prayed the prayer. I’m a pastor. I know the verses.

But

I

still

make

mistakes.

I still sin. I know I do, and there are times when I really think it would be a good idea to just bang my head against a wall because of it. I need to be reminded of my foundation.

Jesus Christ is my salvation. I need to remember that my foundation is not my knowledge of scripture, my ability to communicate the Word of God or even a series of good deeds. My foundation is not how long I read scripture each day or how much I pray.

My foundation is the most important thing to the house Christ is building.

Christ died for me.

Christ died because I screwed up.

Because

I

sin.

Christ died.

Then…completed the process by raising again from the dead.

If nothing else good ever happens in my life again, I still owe God everything I have had or will ever have because of that one act of selfless love.

When we pray and we say “In Jesus’ Name” at the end of our prayers, what we are really saying is that because of Jesus’ death and because of Christ’s sacrifice, the sin that separates us from God and the sin that makes it so we cannot be in the presence of God is paid for, atoned, and we are justified through Christ. In the Name of Jesus we pray because in any other way, by any other name we wouldn’t be able to come before God.

It’s all because of Jesus I’m alive.

Just remember the foundation. Your house is built on one and unless you are a contractor or construction worker, I bet you rarely ever think about your foundation. Not because we don’t care or because we’re bad people, but because it’s always been there.

It will always be there.

If you’re a Christian, you may or may not know how easy it is to forget the foundation of our faith.

Jesus Christ.

If you’re not a Christian, maybe you were burned by somebody who did, in fact, forget the foundation and did something outside the character of Christ.

I am being reminded of my desperate need for Christ and His blood atoning my sins. It’s a humbling and freeing realization and I pray you experience it too.

Because to remember your foundation is to be reminded of our need of a foundation. And when you remember you need a foundation, realize you have a foundation…a solid one, a sure one, you are freed to build a skyscraper and know that it will withstand the harshest of storms.

Believe that the price has been paid. Believe that God’s anger at our sin has been pacified by Christ’s death. Believe that the foundation has been laid and you are free to…

Build.

Remember.

Look up.

Believe.

As I start typing on my lovely Apple keyboard it is 12:18 AM on Sunday. In about 7 hours and 30 mins, my alarm will ring and alert me that it’s just about time to get up. I will then go over some notes for the final time before I head off to preach a sermon at a friend’s church. I really should be asleep right now, but I couldn’t lay my head on that sweet, soft pillow and take the express lane to dream land without writing a few things rolling through my head.

First of all, if you were at, talked to anybody that was at, or were within a few miles of the safehouse last night (well, technically the night before last….Friday night…the 22nd) you were treated to quite a spectacular show. Of course, I’m a little biased but overall, the feedback I got was all positive. 6 bands one night, everybody said it was quite an ambitious goal to work on 6 bands in one night, in one place and actually pull it off.

One person said, “I think you’ve bit off more than you can chew my man.” And while I certainly bit off more than I could chew by myself, I had some people to share the meal and together, we were able to chew it and swallow just fine.

If you were at that show and were a part of the amazing team of people that made it possible let me start by saying and amazing and very heart-felt THANK YOU! With your help we were able to make a huge impact on a lot of people and set a precedent for the future. Thank you so much!

It reminded me how much I love my job. I was exhausted, it was about 10:00 we were probably transitioning from the third band to the fourth band of the night and I could feel my calves, feet and ankles start to scream at me for putting them through so much (apparently my ankles, calves and feet are very wimpy). There were around 250 young people scurrying about the safehouse, parents proudly looking as their kids wailed away on whatever instrument they featured in their respective bands, merchandise table attendants selling T-Shirts, buttons, stickers, and CDs. A good friend of mine who also promotes concerts for a local radio station set up a table and promoted an upcoming concert. It was all very real and I realized in that a moment, a small, but equally real truth. Looking back, I can honestly say that I didn’t want to be any other place at that moment.

There, pulling my glasses of my face and wiping away the fatigue that had slowly crept its way into the corners of my eyes, I didn’t want to leave, I didn’t want to go home and go to sleep. I wanted to be around all these people. I wanted to shake hands, get names, meet people, touch people in a real and lasting way. If nothing else, I wanted them to know that somebody cared about them. I couldn’t touch everybody, I couldn’t get everybody’s names, but I wanted to do what I could.

I wanted the band members to know that not only was I happy to give them an opportunity to play, I want them to know that I’m proud of them and thankful that they showcased their talents. It was the best event in the short history of the ministry called Safehouse and I was a part of it. Not only was I a part of it, I had the distinct and humbling privilege of leading a team of amazing people who, by the way, make me want to be the absolute best leader I can be and I am so proud to be a member of that team.

There’s not a lot else to say I guess. I was in the writin’ mood and this show had taken up the majority of my time over the last few days. So…there ya go. Enjoy!

Videos and pics of the show to come soon.

*This post is probably littered with typos and grammatical errors…please don’t post nasty comments criticizing my spelling, etc… I’m usually very good, but…I’m just so stinkin’ tired!

I’m going to sleep now.

What can you do with this delicious burrito? …other than eat it of course.

This little girl sang for the first time in front of people with her dad in front a small coffehouse full of people. It was a wonderful time. A nice reflection of a daughter and father sharing a gift.

Sometimes I wonder if God looks at me the same way. Like, when I get down on my knees or I close my eyes to pray and as I get ready to speak, He leans over the edge of Heaven so He can really pay attention to exactly what you are saying. Not so much what’s coming out of your mouth as what’s coming out of your heart.

Recently, I’ve been evaluating my prayers to God and I’ve realized that I am trying to “pray right.” I am trying to say things that I think God would be happy to hear. I am trying to say things that will get me to a desired outcome instead of crying out, speaking, asking, singing or simply standing in His presence. This little girl didn’t move once she got behind the mic…she had a small voice, audible only because of the piece of technology standing inches from her mouth.

I don’t want to just say prayers to God. I want to communicate. I want to engage, I want a relationship. I don’t want a monologue, I want to dialogue with God. Where I take, He not only hears, but listens and where He talks and I not only listen and hear, but am transformed by His words.

Speak up. You don’t need a mic when talking to God. He’s closer than you think.

Items Present:

-Bible (New Living Translation)
-Notebook
-Devotional Book
-Apple MacBook Pro
-French Vanilla Caramel Coffee
-Pen

What a wonderful way to start my day. I would seriously do this everyday, but I would get food every time I went, rather than just coffee and would probably have to sell my kidney to afford it.

But nonetheless…this will happen more and more.

Sports fan or not…this one play in the Super Bowl has to be appreciated. Period. It was really a thing of beauty…

Unless you are a Patriots fan.

Amazing.

Photos from the Associated Press.