2009-7
19

expectations…

Category: General | 3 Comments

dscn5028Today, my son began the tournament play for his baseball team. We are seated third in a double elimination round robin tournament.  I printed the tournament bracket and did my tournament predictions…(just like the NCAA bracket, I’m a fanatic about predicting the outcome!)  I had our team getting to the championship game and winning it all!  What optimism!  I had high expectations!

As I type this blog, we lost our first game and now playing in the losers bracket.  Unfortunately, my expectations are shattered!  I share this experience to set the stage for my dialogue about expectations…we have them for every part of our lives…we even have expectations set for God!

Do you feel that you are losing and playing in the loser’s bracket, scrimping out, barely hanging on to  a slight advantage?  Have you said, “Life is not fair!”?  Are your expectations shattered? 

It wouldn’t be so bad, if you didn’t feel that about God.  Unfortunately, when life stinks, God is the easy one to blame!  Isn’t He God?  Couldn’t He just stop the madness and give you a reprieve? 

I love the verses in Hebrews 12: 1-3…Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.

I’ve italicized the last sentences to highlight Jesus’ expectation…the joy awaiting him…Jesus endures the cross, disregarding its shame because of the joy waiting him…What is the joy waiting Jesus?  The answer lies in the context of Hebrews…Jesus’ joy is those of us who would come to a personal knowledge of His saving grace.  The author of Hebrews encourages us to run the race with endurance!  In light of broken expectations, we should continue to keep our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.

Don’t give up…it’s not over, we can still win the loser’s bracket!  And get to the championship game and win it all!

2009-7
15

i’ll believe if only i can see…

Category: Spirituality | 3 Comments

seeing

There is an incredible desire in all of us to believe!  Often, we doubt because we cannot see…God’s doing, moving, and handiwork!  Our faith so much depends on feeling, touching, and seeing the hand of God operate in our lives.  We declare that believing is intricately tied to our sight.  We virtually want to see!

I’ll believe when I see!  For some reason, we feel as though our faith is solidified by simple sight!  To see is to believe!  Unfortunately, we have all seen, yet we refuse to believe.  Romans 1 declare that creation is God’s primary evidence of who He is and His glory!  Instead of worshipping the Creator, we refuse to believe in spite of seeing, and worship the creation instead.  How ridiculous of us to tie belief with sight!  We see and yet we become obstinant and disobedient. 

Tonight, while teaching in Revelations 20, there is a powerful verse that is often overlooked because it primarily speaks of Satan’s deception after Christ’s millenial reign.  Read this:   

7When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison 8and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth—Gog and Magog—to gather them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore. 9They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God’s people, the city he loves. But fire came down from heaven and devoured them. 10And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

I’ve italicized the text for emphasis…first let’s look at the context–1)  Christ is ruling during the millenium, 2) those who are living during this time have only His rule to experience, 3) it is a life of peace, contentment, and joy for a thousand years, 4) they see and live with Christ…but when Satan is released, they are deceived by their willful choice and decide to wage war against God and His people…and amazingly, “their number are like the sand of the seashore”–that means not a few, but a bunch of them that see and yet choose to be deceived and walk in rebellion!

Here’s the lesson in all of this:

1) Believing is not tied to seeing–you can see and still choose to not believe!

2)  Believing is not knowing–you can know (a mental assent) and still walk in disobedience!

3) Believing means committing!  Believe is an action word!  I believe, therefore, I will commit!

Unfortunately, some of you still want to see…an excuse to not commit to God and His ways…remember Revelations 19 and 20…that road will certainly lead to death!

2009-7
11

When you don’t know what to do…

Category: General | 6 Comments

limbo

Have you been in a situation when you didn’t know what to do?  Do you feel like you’re in limbo?  Are you pressured to make a decision right now?   Do this or that?  Go here or there?  Choose this or that? 

What can you do when you don’t know what to do?

Let me give you some suggestions:

1.  Don’t panic–it is easy when you are under pressure to make a choice to let fear dominate your life.  Remember Jesus says, “Don’t be afraid, I will give you peace…” (John 14:27)

2.  Stay calm–it is easier said than done, but you have to “stay cool…”  Calm depends on the inner (spirit) man who understands God is in control.  (Romans 8:6)

3.  You can pray–as a believer, you have an enormous advantage to go to God in prayer; a simple way for you to let God know what you’re feeling! (Matthew 6:6)

4.  You can trust–why pray if you don’t trust God?  Trust means that you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God wants more for you than what you can want for yourself… (Proverbs 3:5-6)

5.  You can relax–this is quite opposite of what you are doing right now…it is easier to fret, get frustrated, doubt, fear, speak negatively, and stress out!  Relax doesn’t mean sit still or do nothing!  Relax means having a quiet confidence that all is OK!  (Romans 8:25)

Uncertainty is God’s dominion…He’s already working behind the scenes for you!

2009-7
8

every time I feel the Spirit…

Category: Spirituality | 2 Comments

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hu8dHoMpHg0

This old spiritual never gets old…because deep inside of us is a longing for a deeper, fresh, vibrant, and powerful experience with the God of our lives!  Every time I feel the feel the Spirit…moving in my heart…is the cry of my heart, as well as yours!  We desire to feel, to experience, and God to move in our hearts! 

We are moving away from the apologetic, cognitive side to go to the “other side” of experiential longing…a heart journey!  For most of us, we long for a balance, but for all too long, we have leaned on one side–the mental side!  This generation is longing to experience the old spiritual song once again!  Don’t you?

Have you ever thought or even ask, “Why can’t I feel God?”  Is your worship experience dominated by the preaching of the Word and not couched in the presence of the Lord?  Do you walk away from your worship experience never feeling God?  Why?  Why not? 

I have not heard much talk these days in the “moving of the Spirit.”  I wonder why? 

Let’s long for…expect…and desire to “feel the Spirit…moving in our hearts…”

2009-7
6

Kansas City Barbeque (part 3)

Category: General | No Comments

big-ts-pic2OK…if you haven’t figured it out yet!  Kansas City is definitely barbeque heaven!  Others might argue the point with me, but I’ve lived long enough in our community, that there are some incredible pit masters right here in town.  No matter what you are craving, surely somewhere in town, your craving can be satisfied.  So all of you who love barbeque, here it is:  if you love to get a bit messy, love to gnaw on some good bbq, and you are craving some rib tips, I have the place just for you.

When it comes to rib tips, you must come and check out Big T’s.  With two locations (9409 Blue Ridge Blvd, and the Old Niece’s Lounge on Blue Parkway), your barbeque stop is nearby.  As you know, it is easy to get barbeque in Kansas City, but you will love the rib tips at Big T’s.  Rib tips are sometimes referred to as the poor man’s cut.  Normally, when you order a slab of ribs, they have already cut away the “rib tips” because they are at the top part of the large ends of the slab.  Rib tips are what I call your “mini slab tips.” When cooked perfectly, these tiny bit size morsels are filled with barbeque delight!  Somewhat harder to eat than your ribs, simply because of some cartiledge you have to work around, and for some a bit more fat content!  Some of you don’t like fat, you trim them away from your steaks, and you order your barbeque lean as possible, but for us fat lovers, you can overdose on the rib tips at Big T’s…those of us who love fat, there is nothing better than the rib tips at Big T’s.  rib-tips3

The order at Big T’s fills your plate.  The price is right, and the sauce is perfect for these bit sized goodies.  Big T’s sauce comes in the vinegar variety, and for those who love sauces, they serve it hot at Big T’s.  It was unorthodox for me when I first ordered and asked for extra sauce.  But the combination works for me!  I’m hooked!  You just can’t beat the perfectly seasoned and smoked rib tips with their brand of sauce at Big T’s.  So if you’re wanting some adventure in your barbeque palate, I’m suggesting you can’t beat the rib tips at Big T’s.

So if you see me at Big T’s say hello and if you want, you can buy me lunch since I hooked you up with the best eats!

2009-7
4

what about the 4th?

Category: General | No Comments

Some of you have been planning all summer, even longer, for the weekend on the 4th of July.  There is the barbeque, picnic, going to the lake,  fireworks, and family get-to-gethers that you have been waiting to enjoy on this long weekend.  It is a national holiday representing this country’s freedom. 

As I was driving down I-70 towards M291, I was given a tremendous panaromic display of fireworks that lit the horizon of our wonderful city!  It seems that everyone loves to celebrate the 4th!  During tough, turbulent, economic times, Americans in every economic status has spent their expendable cash to light a few fireworks!  I’m sure we didn’t even give it a second thought…we wanted our children to experience the delight of lighting a sparkler or a firecracker!  Neighborhood after neighborhood, even as I drove into my own, we could see and hear the wonderful sounds of fireworks all around us!

I understand, as an naturalized citizen of this glorious country, the significance of today’s celebration.  As an immigrant, every opportunity for success and prosperity is represented in the land of the brave and the free.  So here we are, from every color and race, from countries far and away, in the land of milk and honey, to enjoy its blessings and opportunities.  We are successful!  We are blessed!  Why?  Because we are celebrating the 4th!

Driving down 291, in our minivan, filled with all the Bagunu’s,  I am most grateful for the 4th affords me to spend time with the most important people in my life–my family!  So with my wife Dianna, my sons Abram and Torrance, the 4th is a big deal!  It is a reminder about that which should be most precious to us all–each other! 

So let me take this opportunity to say “Thank You!” to each one of you who have made our lives fuller and enjoyable!  Happy 4th of July!

2009-7
1

The joke is on you…

Category: General | 4 Comments

late-showThis past month, there has been a media blitz about Dave Letterman’s joke on his show, The Late Show with David Letterman, regarding his joke about Governor Palin’s daughter.  You can follow this link about his monologue:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMmKMX44g…

After a media storm, and a full pledge rebuke from Governor Palin, Letterman succumbs to the rising pressure about the remarks.  Here’s a script of his apology on June 16, 2009:

“I told a bad joke. I told a joke that was beyond flawed, and my intent is completely meaningless compared to the perception,” he said on Monday’s show. “And since it was a joke I told, I feel that I need to do the right thing here and apologize for having told that joke.”

“It’s not your fault that it was misunderstood, it’s my fault that it was misunderstood,” he said.

“So I would like to apologize, especially to the two daughters involved, Bristol and Willow, and also to the governor and her family and everybody else who was outraged by the joke. I’m sorry about it and I’ll try to do better in the future.”

Unfortunately, such off-colored remarks cannot be tolerated, even when you think it’s only comedic!

Paul writes in Ephesians 5 these words:

“3But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; 4and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.”

The apostles warn us about the issue of filthiness, silly talk, or coarse jesting.  I know that we can be easily caught in a situation where we joke about each other and about ourselves.  Such moments Paul describes as “not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.”  The phrase not fitting is found five times in the Bible (Ezra 4:14; Proverbs 17:7, 19:10, 26:1; Ephesians 5:4).  Paul instructs us to refrain from such comments or joking.  Instead, we should be about “giving thanks.”

So you see, the joke might be on you…

2009-6
29

The King of Pop…

Category: Surveys | 8 Comments

michael_jackson_-_king_of_pop_official_album_cover

List your top three songs by the King of Pop and tell me why?

1.

2.

3.

 

 

 

 

 

 

All right everyone…here’s the brief summary of the responses I have received:

1.  Black and White, Rockin’ Robin, Billy Jean, Shake Your Body Down to the Ground,

2. I Can’t Stop Loving You, ABC, Who’s Lovin’ You, Break of Dawn,

3.  Man in the Mirror, Beat It, Thriller (2),

2009-6
25

The Big MO

Category: Books | 2 Comments

\mathbf{P}= \sum_{i = 1}^n m_i \mathbf{v}_i = m_1 \mathbf{v}_1 + m_2 \mathbf{v}_2 + m_3 \mathbf{v}_3 + \cdots + m_n \mathbf{v}_n \,\!

Do you know what this equation represents?

The answer is:  The linear momentum of a system of particles is the vector sum of the momenta of all the individual objects in the system.  Did you get that?

I played in a golf tournament the other day and our team kept parring hole after hole.  Par is good, except in a scramble format; you need birdies!  Someone on our team, said, “we need to change our momentum…”  So finally, on hole 14, after bogeying the previous hole, our momentum changed!  We birdied the hole and proceeded to birdie the last four holes!  It was all momentum!

John Maxwell calls momentum “the big mo”. In his book, The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, John says that, “Momentum is really a leader’s best friend. Sometimes it’s the only difference between winning and losing.”  Whether you run an organization, or just a part of team, one key to the level of your success is momentum.  I’ve always wondered how to gain momentum and keep it moving!  You know you have momentum when there are bumps on the road and you keep moving!  Big Mo is present when mistakes are made, and leaders quickly move past them and any change is possible. People in your organization are highly motivated, the culture around you is enthusiastic, and performance is at a higher level.  And most of all, the leader looks good!  Now that’s Big Mo at work!

So how can I gain momentum?  Momentum can never be gained by staying at rest!  Momentum begins by forward progress.  Newton’s first law of motion says, ”A body at rest stays at rest, and a body in motion stays in motion, unless it is acted on by an external force.”  We often call this the law of inertia.  The simple truth is momentum begins when you get moving!  As a leader, you have to be motivated before you can motivate others!  The responsibility of momentum lies on your shoulders!  You are responsible for the momentum of your team!  As a team member, your responsibility is to keep momentum by staying in motion–being on the same page with your leader and organization, being highly motivated, and producing!

The truth of the matter is that there are some things we cannot control!  But in every organization and walk of life, the Big Mo is not that elusive!  There are many books around that can guide us to the right path.  In Jim Collins book, Good to Great, I have found that there are some principles to achieving and keeping momentum.  Here are some thoughts:

1.  Good is the Enemy of Great.  We face the horrifying idea that we could have had a great life, but we settled because it was so good!  Momentum can never be achieved if you settle for that which is good!

2.  Level 5 Leadership.  This level of leadership is defined by genuine humility couched in an atmosphere of passion for the cause, the work and the organization.  A selfless leader, driven by a stoic will, needs to replace the ego-centric leader.  Momentum always begins with leadership–level 5 leaders!

3.  A Culture of Discipline.  When you set your objectives, you must judge what you do at the end by objectives/goals that you set.  The measure is not what you did or did not produce, but rather the achievement of your objectives.  A culture of discipline is necessary if you want to keep momentum.

4. The Hedgehog Concept.  It is a deep understanding of three concentric circles:  1) what are you deeply passionate about?  2) what can you be or cannot be the best in the world at?  3) what drives your economic engine?  Either personal or corporate, momentum is maintained by understanding your hedgehog.

5.  Flywheel and the Doom Loop.  In building something great, there is no one great program, not one killer innovation, a lucky break, not some miracle moment, rather, it is pushing a giant flywheel, pushing it to complete one turn…pushing to turn it again…momentum builds…you keep pushing, gaining more momentum…the flywheel moves faster…you keep pushing, building upon each compounded effort..until the flywheel breaks through!  Momentum takes hard work!

6.  First Who, Then What.  Who do you spend your time and your most valuable relationships determine success.  It is first who, then what.  Value important relationships and get the right people on the bus with you, then what… Momentum is easy when you spend time with valuable relationships!

Go Big Mo!

2009-6
22

When it is sweltering hot…

Category: Spirituality | 6 Comments

This is the typical summer day in KC!  It is sweltering hot!  The humidity is thick and heavy!  And the AC can’t keep up with all the heat!  There are a lot of things that you can do to cool yourself!  For example, drinking a large slurpy from 7 Eleven, buy a bomb pop from the ice cream truck, stay inside in the air conditioning, or go to the pool!  All of which are excellent choices for keeping one cool in the summer heat!

When it is this hot, we are told to stay indoors, especially the seniors.  As we get older, the heat takes a harder toll on us than those who are young!  I find this interesting in light of a quote by Jonathan Edwards:  “The state of the present revival of religion has an awful aspect upon those that are advanced in years. The work has been chiefly amongst the young; and comparatively but few others have been made partakers of it. And indeed it has commonly been so, when God has begun any great work for the revival of his church; he has taken the young people, and has cast off the old and stiff-necked generation. There was a remarkable outpouring of the Spirit of God on the children of Israel in the wilderness, but chiefly on the younger generation, their little ones, that they said should be a prey, the generation that entered into Canaan with Joshua.” (volume one, part V, section 2)

In the sweltering heat of revival, I offer this observation in light of Edward’s comment. 

1)  Revival energizes young people.    

2) Revival mobilizes the young.

3) Revival is an outpouring of the Spirit of God.

4) Revival is difficult for those “advanced in years.”

5) Revival has a way of casting off those who are “stiff-necked.”

6.  Revival leads to Canaan.

7.  Revival always has a Joshua as a leader.

So what would happen to a church if a sweltering heat of revival would enter?  Would we continue to cool ourselves off with a large slurpy, a bomb pop, even go to the pool, or try to stay in the AC?  I just wonder how I would respond to a sweltering heat of revival, an outpouring of God’s Spirit!