#888 - I FEEL CONVICTED TO WRITE ABOUT...

At some point. Not sure if it’s now or later. Not sure if I need to learn the lessons more or not. But, I can’t get away from the deep conviction that I need to put into words what God has taught me about the following aspects of humility.

IT REQUIRES HUMILITY TO…

  • Confess and repent of sin and struggle in the sight of a Holy God.

  • Confess and repent of sin and struggle in the context of community.

  • Articulate praise and adoration to God for who He is.

  • Articulate encouragement and affirmation to others for who they are.

  • Express thanksgiving and gratitude to God for what He’s done.

  • Express thanksgiving and gratitude to others for what they’ve done.

  • Submit and follow the leadership of God.

  • Submit and follow the leadership of others.

  • Receive the forgiveness of God.

  • Receive forgiveness from and extend forgiveness to others.

  • Ask God for revelation and understanding of blind spots.

  • Ask others for insight and feedback about blind spots.

  • Seek God’s counsel for wisdom and guidance.

  • Seek others’ counsel for wisdom and guidance.

  • Wait patiently for the will of God to come to pass in your life.

  • Wait patiently for the will of God to come to pass in others’ life.

  • Give generously to God.

  • Give generously to others.

  • Speak up.

  • Be silent.

  • Leave.

  • Stay.

This is a lot to think through and write about, but I’ve faced the consequences of having pride in all of the areas listed above, and if there is any way I can prevent someone else from experiencing the pain that pride has caused me, I’d love to be able to help! Stay tuned!

#887 - I SHOULD BE PATIENT BECAUSE...

  1. My knowledge is limited. The things I want so badly to happen or have sooner may not even be God’s will for my life!

  2. My character needs developing. Very few things are responsible for strengthening my character and integrity like having to wait.

  3. My motives require purifying. By not getting what I want, my reasons for doing what I’m doing have to be less about what I can potentially gain and more about obedience to God.

  4. My God is ultimately sovereign. If what I desire is His plan for my life, nothing can thwart or stop His plan from coming to pass.

  5. My God is infinitely powerful. God has every ability to move whatever mountain must be moved for His will to be done in my life.

  6. My God is perfectly loving. God knows exactly what I need, exactly when I need it. And because He loves me, He will get to me what needs to get to me at just the right time, and in the most loving way possible. I trust that God’s perfect love that drives both His generous giving and His gracious withholding.

#886 - TODAY I RECEIVED A VERY SPECIAL GIFT FROM GOD

Two people from my past.
Reached out. By text and by phone.
One whom I began ministering to in 2013. The other, I ministered to as far back as 2008!
Both, specifically, thanking me for how my investment into their life has made a life-changing difference.

I didn’t know how much I needed this type of encouragement till I received it.

God is so gracious and kind. I’m His child and He knows how to get me exactly what I need at exactly the right time. And, sometimes, He DOUBLES the portion!

Only God.

#885 - A SOMBER BUT NECESSARY ADMISSION

I am not as sanctified, holy, righteous, spiritually mature, loving, self-controlled, patient, and grateful as I think I am currently capable of being.

By this stage in my relationship with Jesus I should be more of all of the things I’ve mentioned above. So much more. Unfortunately, I’m less.

Regardless of my Bible knowledge. Regardless of my job title of “Lead Pastor.” Regardless of my ability to passionately preach/teach about such things. Regardless of how long I’ve been following the ways of Jesus…

I still find myself so un-like Jesus. So un-sanctified. So un-holy. So weak.

This is my reality. I. AM. WEAK.

Thankfully, it’s the acknowledgement of this reality that perfectly positions me to be the blessed recipient of one of the most beautiful promises in all of God’s Word…

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭12:9‬

#884 - A HABIT I’M ENDEAVORING TO DEVELOP

To give my very best mental and emotional energy to the conversation I’m currently having.

To be fully present with the person I’m with.

To not have my mind of the next meeting. To not have my mind on the next conversation. To not have my mind on the past. To not have my mind on the future.

No cell phone. No notifications. No obsession with the time. Just. Present.

As God sees me. As God gives His attention to me. As God, at every moment, is fully present with me.

Lord, by the power of your Holy Spirit, please help me to give this gift to others.

#883 - I WANT TO PASS THESE TESTS

Of being humble. Of being patient. Of being present. Of waiting for my turn. Of submission. Of gratitude. Of living in the limelight with meekness. Of living in the shadows with faithfulness. Of talking less. Of praying more. Of giving my marriage more of my emotional energy than I do my ministry. Of expectantly looking to the bright future that God has in store for me (whatever it may be) while joyfully giving the very best of who I am to the great responsibility currently in my hands.

A lot of tests to pass.

Lord, help me. Apart from You, I can do nothing.

#882 - 10 RANDOM REFLECTIONS ON RELATIONSHIPS

  • Being rich in relationships is an undervalued form of wealth.

  • Grieving how the nature of relationships change, as the seasons of our life change, is healthy and necessary.

  • Sometimes, physical absence in a relationship is a requirement for spiritual growth.

  • The moment we value physical presence in a relationship over spiritual growth, we have made that relationship into an idol.

  • A true test of the strength of a relationship is removing physical proximity.

  • The strongest relationships in my life have two things in common: shared experiences (both joyful and sorrowful ones) and time (years I’ve known the person).

  • You can’t fight to maintain and strengthen every relationship in your life, but if you’re not fighting for any relationships, that’s probably a problem.

  • Lack of relational health and lack of emotional health are inextricably intertwined.

  • Enjoying good food together and building strong relationships go hand in hand.

  • Cherish the moments. Take no meaningful relationship for granted. Tomorrow is not promised.

#881 - ABOUT THE FUTURE

I don’t know what it holds. I don’t know what it will bring. I don’t know where I will be.

But, what I do know is this:

There are certain people that I strongly desire to be a part of my future in a significant way.

Present. Engaged. Involved. Me making memories with them. Them making memories with me.

Sharing significant moments. Doing significant ministry. Living significant lives.

As I’m getting older, I’m becoming more and more convinced…

The true, deep joys of life come less from what you’re doing, and more from who you’re doing it with.

Heavenly Father, you know the handful of people that are coming to my mind as I write this. As I delight myself in You, please stay true to your promise and give me the desires of my heart! In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

#880 - WHEN INSPIRATION COMES

Though creatives should be constantly creating, regardless of how inspired they feel, there are certain times when inspiration, ideas, and creativity come over a person in an abundant way.

When it does, my advice is this: take advantage.

Create. Re-Create. Write. Re-Write. Design. Re-Design. Make the immaterial material.

When inspiration comes over you in an unusual way…WORK!

Because it’s been my experience that as quickly as inspiration comes, unfortunately, inspiration leaves.

#879 - A UNIQUE DEFINITION OF LOVE

Love is “to reveal the beauty of another person to themselves,” wrote Jean Vanier. - Pete Scazzero (Emotional Healthy Spirituality)

Came across this sentence today while reading. It stopped me in my tracks. It is such a beautiful thought about love.

I hate to admit it, but on so many occasions, instead of desiring to “reveal the beauty of another person to themselves,” my primary desire is to reveal the beauty of myself to others.

But what a game changer it could be if, in my interactions with others, I was more concerned with helping others to see the beauty in who they were rather than trying to help them see the beauty in who I am.

I love the idea of love being a means of helping others to see themselves as more beautiful.

But here’s an idea about love that I find even more compelling…

Loving rightly should not only lead people to see themselves as more beautiful, but more importantly, loving rightly should lead people to see God as more beautiful!

Greater self-esteem is good. Greater adoration for God is best.

Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us. 1 John 4:11-12

#878 - THE BEAUTY OF FAMILY

Eating good food together. Watching the Warriors game together. Enjoying my sister’s newborn son Jaden together. Laughing together. Playing Wordle together. Bowling together.

I was with my family for less than 12 hours, but the time together was a blessing to my soul.

I’m so thankful for the deep love, security, comfort, acceptance, interest, and understanding I feel and experience when I’m with my mom, dad, brothers, and sister. (Even when it’s been several months since I’ve seen them.)

The love from a family is most definitely an extension of the kindness of God. God is worthy of my praise!

#877 - A PLAN FOR THE WEEKEND!

Flew to LA today. Driving to the Bay Area (with my wife and pup) tomorrow to re-connect with my family and celebrate my buddy’s birthday at Pebble Beach!

In an effort to make the next 5 days as enjoyable and productive as possible here’s a list of things I’d like to accomplish…

  1. Meet my nephew Jaden!

  2. Bowl with my brother Elias.

  3. Get a fresh cut from my barber JR.

  4. Post a blog post everyday.

  5. Run 3 times. (5 miles. 3 miles. 6 miles.)

  6. Set time aside for silence and solitude.

  7. Finish writing 6 devotionals for the book of Mark.

  8. Enjoy quality time with our dear friends Spencer and Lanae.

I’m super thankful for the opportunity to enjoy the weekend off ahead. Prayerfully, I can receive the refreshment and renewal I very much need!

#875 - ABOUT AMBITION

The motive matters most.
It’s not always selfish .
Sometimes it is.
When it is - acknowledge it.
When it’s not - pursue it.
If you’re unsure - discuss it.

Healthy ambition motivates you.
Unhealthy ambition consumes you.
Discern the difference.

Surrendering your ambitions to the care, direction, and Lordship of Jesus Christ is wise.
Pursuing your ambitions irrespective of the cost, impact, and timing is foolish.

Lack of ambition is a problem.
God-honoring ambition is the solution.

Rule over your ambition or your ambition will rule over you.

#874 - YOU HAD TO BE IN THE ROOM

Today was one of those Sundays where you had to be in the actual church building to fully experience what we experienced.

The presence of God was palpable.
The praising of the Son was powerful.
The moving of the Spirit was monumental.
The unity of the Body was undeniable.
The worship of the Saints was wonderful.

But if you weren’t in the room,
YOU WOULD’VE MISSED ALL OF IT.

I strongly encourage you, if you are physically able, get to the physical church services of a life-giving church as often as you can.

What happens in the room cannot be replicated.

#872 - I MISS MY WIFE

She’s been gone for nearly a week for work. I haven’t eaten a home cooked meal since she left. (Because I am lazy like that…and incapable.) Talking to her on the phone just isn’t the same. And, though I am a huge introvert, I can only be by myself for so long!

Truly, truly…

IT IS NOT GOOD THAT THE MAN SHOULD BE ALONE!

#871 - DISCIPLE-MAKING MOMENTUM

  • After years of working and re-working various means and methods of making disciple makers at my previous church in Oakland, I have been graciously invited to invest some of those learnings to help create a greater disciple-making culture at Hope Church.

  • So, we are currently at the stage in this journey where we are piloting a tool that will equip the people of Hope Church to make disciples that make disciples.

  • Our leaders are loving using the tool, and the people who are being discipled are responding well to the process.

  • We are also talking about making disciple-making a primary emphasis of what we teach, train, and coach the church planters connected to Hope Church and the church planters we desire to raise out of Hope Church.

  • Tonight, I piloted the disciple-making tool with a young man from Hope Church (who recently moved from the Bay Area to Las Vegas as well!) who is hungry! The Scriptures were read. The Holy Spirit convicted. Steps of obedience were identified. And, he couldn’t be more excited about going on this disciple-making journey with me! I’m so thankful for this privilege and honor!

  • I am convinced, nothing puts you more on the front row to the activity of God than intentionally making disciples who make disciples.

  • God is up to something very special at Hope Church (specifically as it relates to disciple-making), and I am very blessed to be here to be a part of it!

#870 - WHEN YOU'RE NOT THE POINT LEADER

The final responsibility isn’t yours.
The weight of responsibility is significantly lighter.
You can disconnect from the work much easier.

For the first time in 8+ years, I’m not the point leader of the church that I work at, and I am very much enjoying the above benefits of that reality.

BUT…I am also learning a few more things about not being the point leader.

I have greater margin to support the point leader.
I have increased energy to serve the point leader.
I have a significant burden to pray for the point leader.

Heavenly Father, help me to do these things faithfully and with joy. Help me to be for my point leader what I wanted people to be for me when I was the point leader—sacrificial, hard working, considerate, egoless. Help me because apart from you I can do nothing.