Though I will continue to set other goals in other areas of my life, these are the four primary goals that I am looking forward to attaining before my 35th birthday!
Runner - Run 700 miles and earn "Purple Level" on the Nike+ Run Club App.
Reader - Read and take notes on at least 12 books.
Writer - Post 300 blog posts.
Leader - Have 240 leadership development conversations.
Instead of recounting the various blessings from the past year, this year, I wanted my "birthday reflection" to be a list of the 34 people who have positively influenced my life over the last 34 years. Next to their name is one of the primary ways in which they impacted my life in a life-transforming way. Without each and every one of them, I wouldn't be the person who I am today!
Ellis Paz - For being my first and best example of a godly man/husband.
Cindy Paz - For giving me the gift of truth-telling.
Ed Morgan - For pastoring the church where I would first learn about the love of Jesus.
Gloria Young - For being my first example of a strong, godly, woman leader in the local church.
Eric Johnson - For being my first example of someone who was both "cool" and Christian.
Brian Cassidy - For being the first pastor to allow me to preach and lead in the local church.
Katie Yezzi - For encouraging me in my interest to one day teach teachers how to teach.
Dan Harrington - For inspiring my love for Mathematics and my desire to be a Math Teacher.
Dexter Ligot-Gordon - For placing The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership in my hands.
Rebekah Paz - For marrying me and encouraging me to be the best version of myself!
Lawrence Garrett - For showing me that strong leadership at a young age was possible.
Kwaku Gyabaah - For reminding me that to not provide for my family is "worse than an unbeliever."
Brian Goodell - For providing avenues to exercise my ministry gifts/calling before I was deserving.
Elizabeth Macasaet - For giving me a real-life example of what staying faithful to your vows looks like.
Paul McGovern - For modeling for me what a true Kingdom-heart looks like.
Rich Johnstone - For partnering with me in leading theMOVEMENT when all I had was a vision.
Joel Williams - For lending your leadership to theMOVEMENT during a very critical time in our story.
Andy Wood - For mentoring me in the various facets of church planting in the Bay Area.
Bryant Wright - For catalyzing national support for church planting in the Bay Area.
John C. Maxwell - For showing me how to write with clarity.
Jim Rohn - For painting a compelling picture of why personal development is so necessary.
Paul J. Meyer - For teaching me the what/why/how of effective goal-setting.
Peter Daniels - For enlarging my vision of what God can accomplish through my life.
Andy Stanley - For developing the "ME, WE, GOD, YOU, WE" format for preaching.
Tim Keller - For showing me how to make Jesus the exclamation point of every sermon.
Bruce Wilkinson - For Secrets of the Vine and The Dreamgiver.
Rick Warren - For giving me an example of how to develop systems/processes in the local church.
Bill Hybels - For Courageous Leadership and the Global Leadership Summit.
Craig Groeschel - For committing to do "anything short of sin" to reach people with the Gospel.
JD Greear - For making the implications/applications of the Gospel accessible.
Matt Chandler - For exemplifying and creating the category of a "Penta-Baptist" or "Bapti-costal."
Paul Tripp - For being the inspiration behind my life's mission of "rescuing awe."
Seth Godin - For being the ultimate example to me of consistency in your craft.
Steven Pressfield - For The War of Art, Turning Pro, and Do the Work.
At your lowest point.
In your worst condition.
After your biggest mistake.
Grace is there.
When you've humiliated yourself.
When you've disappointed others.
When you've grieved God.
Grace is there.
Though you won't be able to fix it.
Though you don't have the capacity to handle it.
Though you can't see a solution to resolve it.
Grace is there too.
Longing to restore you.
Desiring to redeem you.
Preparing to renew you.
Grace does not just meet you in your place of need, but if you allow it, it will also carry you through to a place of healing.
Where is grace?
Grace is found in the Person of Jesus Christ who was...
Judged so you wouldn't have to be condemned.
Shamed so you wouldn't have to be ashamed.
Beaten so you wouldn't have to feel defeated.
Christ was disgraced so you could receive grace, but Christ was also resurrected so you could experience renewal!
Receive His work. Rest in His grace.
Peace in the midst of fault and failure awaits.
If you hang around a group of Christians for an extended period of time, it won't be long until you hear the phrase, "intimate relationship with Jesus Christ." Generally, this means a deep, more than surface level relationship with their Savior.
Though this is something that many Christians desire and strive for, many times it can be elusive and hard to determine whether or not intimacy with Christ is one's reality.
In an effort to measure my own walk with Christ, I have come up with the following 4 "Intimacy Indicators" that I hope serve you in deepening your relationship with Him as well.
You cannot have a deep relationship with someone who you do not know. One of the primary ways to know God is to know His Word. Do you find yourself yearning to know God, hear from God, and see God through the reading of the Scriptures?
You cannot have a deep relationship with someone who you hide things from. One of the primary ways to be honest with God is to be honest with Him about the sins that separate you from Him. Do you find yourself committed to bringing your faults and failures before God even though you may feel ashamed?
You cannot have a deep relationship with someone who you doubt loves you. One of the primary ways you can assure yourself of God's love for you is by proclaiming the truths of the Good News over your life and resting in its' benefits. Do you find yourself dwelling more on the implications of what God has already done for you through Christ or on what you have yet to do for Him?
You cannot have a deep relationship with someone who you have a hard time affirming. One of the primary ways you can affirm the greatness and grace of God is by using your words to praise and adore Him. Do you find yourself compelled to invest your emotional energy to thank God for who He is and for what He has done in your life?
Which of these indicators assures you of the quality and depth of your relationship with Christ? Which of these indicators explain why your relationship with Him may not be as deep as you would like it to be?
I encourage you to ask yourself these questions and begin to employ the self-discipline necessary to make these spiritual disciplines a part of your life in a greater measure.
A level of fulfillment and joy awaits that no other relationship on this earth can provide you!
A key to trusting that "God will" is remembering that "God did."
With that in mind, in an effort to increase the level of my trust in God, here is a non-exhaustive list of just a few of the things that God has already done in my life:
God saw to it that I would be born in the United States of America.
God saw to it that I would be born to parents who had a strong relationship with Jesus Christ.
God saw to it that at a young age I would be made aware of my need for a Savior and that I would place my faith in Jesus Christ as that Savior.
God saw to it that I would have a gift of leadership and be placed in opportunities where I could exercise that gift and have it affirmed at a young age.
God saw to it that I would have the opportunity to have close relationships with young entrepreneurs that would help to establish in me a desire for personal development and goal achievement.
God saw to it that I would marry the perfect spouse for me at a reasonably young age.
God saw to it that my wife and I would always have our needs provided for regardless of the financial mistakes we made.
God saw to it that I would attend churches where I would be given opportunities to preach way before I was ready or qualified.
God saw to it that I would hear a clear call into pastoral ministry.
God saw to it that I would be able to step into full-time vocational ministry less than a year after my call into pastoral ministry.
God saw to it that I would be equipped for Christian ministry through the mentorship of world-class Christian leaders.
God saw to it that I would be used by Him in mighty ways in my first full-time vocational ministry position.
God saw to it that I would have the agreement and partnership of my wife before setting out to plant a church.
God saw to it that I would have a Senior Pastor who would support me 110% in my church planting efforts.
God saw to it that I would be exposed to preaching that was gospel-centered thereby giving me a deep appreciation for the many facets of Christ's work for me on the cross.
God saw to it that I would be surrounded by a group of leaders who would join with my wife and I to plant a church.
God saw to it that I would hear a clear call from Him to plant a church in the city of Oakland.
God saw to it that I would be able to afford to reside in the city of Oakland.
God saw to it that I would receive affirmation of our church's vision for a church in the city of Oakland from pastors all across the country.
God saw to it that I would raise the over $200,000 necessary to start the church.
God saw to it that I would be able to baptize someone who gave their life to the Lord, through our ministry, on our Launch Sunday.
God saw to it that I would be, from the earliest days of the church plant, surrounded by qualified elders to partner with me in leading the church.
God saw to it that I would be given the strength necessary to overcome a very difficult situation that without His grace could have caused the church to shut down.
God saw to it that I would be surrounded by a new group of leaders who He would call to theMOVEMENT in extraordinary ways to keep the vision of the church moving forward.
God saw to it that I would see the importance of remembering what He has already done so that I would be able to trust Him for what He has yet to do!
I encourage you to write a list of all the things God has already done in your life. Recalling His past faithfulness may be the very thing you need to trust Him for your future provision!
I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old. Psalm 77:11
Nearly two weeks after running a marathon, with only one 3-mile run in between, today I ran my second fastest half-marathon ever (2:00.34).
This came as an absolute surprise because when I did my 3-mile run just two days ago, I felt very winded and out of shape!
There is no doubt in my mind that I would have finished the half-marathon in a much slower time if it were not for Gary - "The Pacer" for the 2-Hour Half-Marathon.
Here's a few quick lessons I learned about "pacers" by sticking behind Gary this morning:
Pacers push you to keep a pace you don't even know you are capable of.
Pacers force you to stay within your pace even though you think you are capable of more.
Pacers provide a reference point for where you need to be if/when you fall behind.
Pacers help you focus on your pace and not the pace of others.
Pacers inspire you by their commitment to finish their race.
Pacers encourage you along the way.
Pacers congratulate you in the end!
Because following Gary proved to be so effective in helping me run a race in a time I didn't think I had in me, I am convinced, more than ever before, that we need "pacers" in other areas of our lives as well.
Who is your "marriage pacer?" Mine is my mom and dad.
Who is your "vocational pacer?" Mine are pastors like Paul McGovern, Andy Wood, Ben Pilgreen, and Ryan Kwon.
Who is your "health pacer?" Mine are guys like my dad and Rich Johnstone.
Who is your "leadership pacer?" Mine are leaders like Rick Warren, Bill Hybels, Andy Stanley, and Craig Groeschel.
Find some "pacers." Be a "pacer."
Because at the end of the day that's what leadership is: pace-setting.
Today I received an unexpected thank-you note. It was from a young woman who has been attending, for about a year, the church I am privileged to lead. In her note she reminded me of what her life was like before coming to the church, and then she articulated how her life has been impacted since she has been a part of our community. Then she said "thank you."
After a rough week, this was exactly what I needed.
A brief note of thanks. Out of the blue. Short, sincere, and impactful.
I encourage you to write a note of thanks to someone in your life today. It may mean more to them than you will ever know.
Failed goals.
Unmet expectations.
Frustrated plans.
Disappointing days.
For an "A-type" personality like mine, many times, these "bumps in the road" can be overwhelming and, at times, they can even be depressing. Discouragement can overtake me, and thoughts of quitting can begin to creep in.
But what I've found is this: my frustration is usually at its' peak when I take my eyes off of my long-term goals thereby putting unnecessary emphasis and pressure on my short-term results.
Craig Groeschel, Pastor of Life.Church says it this way,
You’ll very likely over estimate what God wants to do through you in the short run, but you’ll grossly underestimate what God can do with a lifetime of faithfulness.
In an effort to focus my energies on a "lifetime of faithfulness," I thought it would be a worthwhile thought exercise to think through the major roles in my life and write out specific long-term goals (and accompanying habits) that I can remain focused on and be faithful to even if the short-term results I'd like to see aren't coming to fruition.
By the age of 50 (in 16 years) I...
As a runner, I run 10,000 miles. (50 miles/month; 13 miles/week)
A reader, I read, pull quotes from, and reflect on 200 books. (1 book/month; 100 pages/week)
As a writer, I write 5,000 blog posts. (25 posts/month; 6 posts/week)
As a leader, I have 3,500 one-on-one leadership development conversations. (20/month; 5 conversations/week)
But enough about me.
How will you measure a "lifetime of faithfulness?" What are the simple daily disciplines that you will commit yourself to that, over the long run, will yield you the long-term goals you desire?
Determine. Commit. Act.
Your God-given potential awaits!
Leader...
Lead someone to accomplish something they wouldn't have accomplished in your absence. Lead someone to take a step of faith that they wouldn't have taken if you were not there. Lead someone to overcome something they wouldn't have overcome if you did not challenge them to do so.
Don't just be satisfied with helping someone to achieve something they could have achieved without you.
Pursue leading someone through their toughest challenge, their worst fear, their biggest goal, their greatest ambition, their highest calling.
Leader, who is the last person you helped experience a true breakthrough? I encourage you to lead towards this end.
And if you find yourself not having led people in this way, commit to improve.
Ask tougher questions.
Get firmer commitments.
Provide stronger accountability.
Give better feedback.
Communicate more encouragement.
Be the leader your team needs you to be. Be the leader you know you can be.
Choose the person with whom you have the most influence and lead them to be the greatest version of themselves that they can possibly be.
As Andy Stanley, a great leader in his own right, so eloquently states,
Leadership is a stewardship. You will be held accountable.
Usually the last person to be made aware of an area of your life where you have developed an unhealthy level of pride is...you!
Though everyone else is already thinking about it, talking about it, bothered by it, and concerned for you because of it, more often than not, you are the only person who is unaware of it.
And for leaders in particular, this is a problem.
An inability to recognize and take responsibility for the areas in your leadership where you are prideful can:
Cause your team to question your self-awareness.
Discourage your team from approaching you about the issue.
Undermine your ability to influence and impact your team.
Have you removed from your position of leadership on the team.
In an effort to prevent this from happening, here are 5 questions you can ask yourself to uncover potential areas where you may have an unhealthy level of pride.
In what areas of your life or leadership...
Do you consider yourself an expert?
Do you have a hard time admitting fault?
Do you get defensive of when challenged?
Do you invest the most time and emotional energy?
Do you avoid receiving constructive feedback about?
If there is an area of your life or leadership that was the answer to all five of these questions, beware! This is very likely an area that is susceptible to unhealthy pride.
Identify it. Own it. Subdue it.
The effectiveness of your leadership is depending on it.
"Without the sovereign influence of God's extraordinary and immediate grace, men do very rarely put off all the trappings of their pride, till they who are about them put on their winding-sheet." Edward Hyde (1st Earl of Clarendon)
Although social media, the Internet, and technology have made it so that helpful ideas, inspiring art, and genuine love can be spread like never before, it has also made it possible for spiteful hate to be broadcast, distributed, and felt like never before as well.
Because of the technological advances (i.e. social media feeds) that are so readily accessible to us, everyday, the opportunity to experience a "hater" is exponentially greater!
Haters that hate on your religious beliefs. Haters that hate on your political positions. Haters that hate on your lifestyle preferences. Haters that hate on your leadership decisions. Haters that hate on your parenting choices. Haters that hate on your career moves.
The critics are out in full effect. The "side busters" have seemed to improve upon their ability to "throw shade." The naysayers are just waiting by their computers just watching and waiting to comment on your next "wrong" move. The hate is real.
But though the hate may be real, how we respond is our responsibility.
We have a choice.
Anger. Resentment. Revenge. Argument. Or...exercise self-control.
Though you may have the perfect one-liner, zinger response to put your hater in their place, though you may have the tightest "clap back," though you may be completely justified in reciprocating the hate, the major thought I'd like to share with you today is simply this...
If you criticize your "haters" in the same hateful way that they criticize you, you are perpetuating a disunity you should despise.
Hurt people hurt people. And because people are hurt by hurt people, they go on to not only hurt the people that hurt them, but they hurt others as well. This should break your heart.
An environment of hate is really a product of hurt.
So decide today to be the one to stop the cycle in your sphere of influence.
Lest, you become exactly like the very person that is hating on you and add fuel to a fire you never wished existed in the first place.
Over the last year, I have very likely set more goals and failed to accomplish more of the goals that I have set than most of the people that I know!
For example: In regards to the amount of times I've wanted to post to this blog...I've failed. In regards to the amount of miles I've wanted to run...I've failed. In regards to the time I wanted to finish the SF Marathon in...I've failed.
So why do I even set goals every month and every year, if I fall short of them more often than not?
I continue to set goals in spite of my inability to consistently achieve them, because the funny thing about goal-setting is this:
I achieve exponentially more by setting and falling short of a goal than if I were to never set a goal at all.
Though I endeavored to write 5 times a week (over this last year) and only wrote 2 times a week, I know I wouldn't have even wrote twice if I wasn't aiming for 5 times!
Though I endeavored to run 100 miles a month (over the last four months) and only ran 88 miles a month, I know I wouldn't have even run 88 if I wasn't striving for 100 miles!
Though I endeavored to run the SF Marathon in under 5 hours (my previous PR was 5:54) and ended up running it in 5 hours and 17 minutes, I know I wouldn't have beat my previous PR by 37 minutes if I wasn't attempting to run it in 5 hours!
In other words: I'd rather set a goal and achieve it partially than not set a goal at all! Some achievement is better than no achievement!
Set a goal and pursue it. If you achieve it in its' entirety, great. If you don't, you will very likely achieve more than you would have if you never set it in the first place.
Preached at the #Hijacked2016 Summer Camp and saw God move mightily.
Enjoyed a time of rest/relaxation with Rebekah at Acts 29 Pastor's Retreat in Long Beach, CA.
Served specific people groups in our congregation by preaching on topics like #BlackLivesMatter and Sexual Assault.
Delegated authority to leaders to carry out important responsibilities at theMOVEMENT (Serve Our City/Preaching).
Finished SF Marathon with Spencer and AJ (their first) and set a PR (5:17).
Run Oakland Half-Marathon in under 2 hours.
Lead productive Directional Leadership Team Off-Site.
Make great memories and enjoy a time of rest/relaxation in Hawaii with Rebekah and friends.
Complete "Fundraising/Partnership Piece" for theMOVEMENT's 2016-2017 Budget.
"Journal to Jesus" 15 times.
Post 100 words to edwardpaz.com 20 times.
Read/write reflections on C.S. Lewis books 12 times.
No fast food.
No shoes purchases!
By September 1, 2016, I finish and send the Fundraising/Partnership Piece to 20 different partners.