Opened up my news page, and here was the leading story…

Keeping it classy VA.
[News article here]

*jdel

In an attempt to be as discrete as I can, I was… in the restroom- and the girls were in the kitchen about 15 feet away. I heard a commotion, shouted to help as much as I could, but had to “finish business” before exiting to see what had happened. Chloe yelled, “Nothing happened daddy!” In the same moment Roxy is screaming in her highchair, and then I come around the corner to this…

It wasn’t just on the chair.
All over the floor, on the wall, covering her clothes, on the baby.
It was like she had a dance raver party while I was in the restroom.
To catch you up to speed, this was the third mess Chloe had made that morning. Every time I would leave the room for more than a minute, chaos happened. I tried to keep control as best I could from the restroom, but…

“While the Dad’s not in sight, the children behave poorly and push the limits- then a mess ensues.”

Ever think God is up there scratching his head going, “Don’t they know I’m here? I mean, I know they cannot physically SEE me standing there, but I’m here. And they keep pulling the same junk over, over and over again…”

More often than not, we behave like God’s simply out of the room.
What he doesn’t see won’t hurt Him, right?
He’s EVERYWHERE!
That thing you’re thinking about right now, um… yep! He knows.

I had a choice coming into that chaos:
I could have screamed. Maybe put her in time out and taken away something. But, I chose a different approach. Although she messed up, I don’t believe it was malicious. It was simply a mistake. I showed her a little love, asked her to be more careful, and cleaned up the mess. She was so sad because her pants, shirt, and shoes were all soiled with milk. I cleaned her up too. As I was cleaning her and the room up, I was warmly reminded of some amazing truths:

“…says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow;”
Isaiah 1:8

“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
John 1:29

“…wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.”
Psalm 51:7

“…for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”
Jeremiah 31:34

So, although we may behave like He’s parenting from the other room up in heaven, somehow blind to what we do. He is very aware of our behavior, words, and actions- and He loves us through it. That doesn’t mean there are no consequences for the way we live, the Bible is clear, “the wages of sin is death” But… the “gift of God and His grace is eternal life.” I am so glad in my relationship with God, He picks me up, cleans me off, and loves me even though I keep making messes.

Thank you God for cleaning me up.

*jdel

This baby was born deaf.
8 months later, through surgeries and modern technology, he hears the sound of mom’s voice.
It’s the first time he’s been able to hear anything…

Incredible.
When was the first time you could hear? I mean, really hear?
When did you begin to notice the sound & things around you?
Was it beautiful? Frightening? Distracting?

In life we have a variety of chaotic noise pollution pulling & vying for our attention.
What are you hearing?
Is there anything at all… or just static?

The first time I really heard was age 19.
Life was great, I had it all planned out, but things began to not fit. Kinda like a Tetris game gone awry. I tried with all my will and strength to produce results on my own accord. But, to no avail the static and noise continued. When I finally thought it was the end and relented to the fact I couldn’t do it on my own- I finally heard. I felt the presence of God stepping in. I peace and calm came over me. My anger, frowning, negative nature turned to joy. He led me to be better, think clearer and provided direction.

I love being able to hear.
Can you hear… Him?

*jdel

(ht: to my sis for the video)

“3:30 a.m. is just too early” is what I thought to myself as I began day 2 of riding & giving up my vehicle. Day 1 was cake. Ride to work, ride home- done. The second day, well… let’s just say it wasn’t “ideal.” 20-25 mph winds, rain, gusts, it was a mess. I’m not quite sure my body was ready for the conditions. The riding, yes. But not the weather.

The thing is, that’s the point of this journey.
To learn how the other side lives.
Begin to get a glimpse into the lives of others.
God did that for me in day two.

To read more, head over to http://www.rideforwater.org where I’m sharing my daily journey in raising awareness for Ta Phin, Vietnam and the 600+ people living with unclean water.
You can join me to change all that.
Click over to the site and learn how.

*jdel

Unfortunately, we don’t have any groups that dress up like this each week (but maybe that’s your mission from God to make happen here at Forefront!) Actually, that would be extremely creepy, forget that idea. Immediately. Alright, let’s move on…

There are a ton of reasons to be in a Gel Group. It’s about sharing life together. Learning the Bible together. Making time to be with others on a regular basis, but not just for kickin’ it… there are some specific reasons that help complete who God designed you to be and fulfill your mission as a follower of Jesus.

01. You will help the world see God’s love. Which is so cool, because so many people are desperate to experience that kind of life change. (John 17:23)

02. You have someone ready to help you carry the heavy burdens of life. This life is difficult anyways, and now as a group you can help one another. (Galatians 6:2)

03. God provides a place to learn how to do good towards others. Society is filled with people all about themselves, you can flip the script and make it about other people and loving them. (1 Thessalonians 5:15)

04. You are connected to a group of people who are less like a “group” and more like a “family.” (Colossians 2:2)

05. It’s a place to find encouragement and learn the wisdom of the Bible. Everybody needs encouragement when following God, it goes against every selfish thing we want. They’re your own personal cheerleaders! (Colossians 3:16)

06. You’ll follow the example of the early church as it was getting started. How cool is that?! (Acts 2:46)

07. You get to learn about the the greatest mission ever- and be united with a bunch of other people who want to make it happen. (Philippians 2:1-2)

08. You get to fulfill God’s command of honoring and loving others. In a culture where honor and love is dwindling, you can be an example of God’s love in the world. (Romans 12:10)

09. If you claim to follow Jesus, a sign of that is having community with not only God, but also with other people who follow Him. (1 John 1:6-7)

10. As the early church did, they had devotion to- gathering together, studying God’s word, and prayer. It was a weekly occurrence. It should be for you too. (Acts 2:42)

*jdel

She’s all together.
The perfect package.
Well, actually… 30 of them.
All you have to do is pick who you like the most.
Test her, try her out, see if she fits.
If you don’t click with her or like her that much…
“No rose for you sucker!”
Pack. Your. Bags.

Early on in my faith I approached God’s Word (the Bible), much like this. Read a little, take it or leave it, move on. The parts I got excited about was great, but the parts that were tough just got tossed. I loved reading about Jesus being my Savior, but the fact of the matter was, I hated the idea of Him being my Lord.

The Bachelor/Bachelorette fails almost every time because in the quest to hand pick perfection, they just want one side. The problem is, it’s a package deal. You pick the blond bombshell, you also get the bad mood in the morning with once a month “attitude.” Snag the hunky fire fighter, you get the sometimes-but-not-always angry & bitter guy. No matter the choice, they are a package deal. The stuff you don’t like will make you want to run. Even though they got a rose, it isn’t always roses…

Taking on the message of Jesus is much the same. You love the Savior, struggle with the Lord. Sing for joy about heaven, trembling about the reality of Hell. Reading, accepting, and believing the words of scripture is a package deal. It’s not a 10-12 week dating game where we “court” the words of Jesus and take the parts we like, ditching the rest.

It’s all or nothing. The Word of God is so very important:

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. John 15:5-7

I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15

Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. James 1:21-25

Taking on the life of following Christ isn’t easy,
But He eases the burden.
Picking n’ choosing from the Bible feels good,
But like the Bachelor, will always end badly.
Trusting all of scripture is an act of faith,
That doesn’t go unrewarded.
Just probably not something we’ll see this side of heaven.

*jdel

Want to read the Bible for free online or on your mobile device?
You’re Welcome.

I am not a CEO.
I don’t do business on the golf course.
I refrain from dropping names if at all possible.
I dream, but not about buildings, campuses, or spread sheets.
I don’t have a ten year plan.
I love God’s church, but struggle with living it sometimes.
I have heard people say when it comes to the church, “It’s not personal…”
I have been doing this for long enough to know, “It’s almost always personal.”
I own “Good To Great” only because it’s what cool pastors say to read.
I have never cracked opened the book.
I hear voices & leaders all over telling me to what I should be.
I wonder if I listen to all those things, I’ll never be what I need to be.
I act like it doesn’t phase me when people don’t like me.
I actually don’t handle it well on the inside.
I want to run from God weekly like Jonah.
I am reminded that He calls me to stay.
I want to yell at Him like Job.
I do sometimes.
I want to feel the feeling of walking on water.
I have spent many times looking away at the waves instead.
I know I need to be a great dad & husband.
I am told daily they love me for me.

I pass by other jobs and wonder what life would be like if…
I know above all else, God’s laid it on my heart to preach.

Preach without apology.
Teach with passion & love.
Lead in His truth above all else.
As a leader, teacher, pastor… my job is to preach.

14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Romans 10:14-15

I am so grateful that God laid it on my heart to preach & teach. At the same time, it scares the living crap out of me, because the weight is so heavy. Hundreds of lives. Eternity at stake. He’s asked me to lead the charge.

My prayer: Who will join?
Will you be the person who selflessly gives all to impact others?
Will you put the brokenness of others before your busy schedule?
Will you commit to a life of loving God and loving people?

Today is the day where you don’t look back.
It’s time to engage God like never before.

*jdel

This is Jessie Kay.
She has been through quite a lot in life.
Jessie & her husband Tim attribute the stability in their lives to God and the help of Forefront.
Check out Jessie and her special moment of surrendering to God.

Forefront Baptisms: January 24, 2011 from Forefront Church on Vimeo.

The “sheet” Jessie is talking about is a worksheet we give to people after we’ve discussed baptism, the biblical concept, etc. If you’re thinking about getting baptized and want to take a look, here is the link to the worksheet: http://www.brandedwithlove.com/media/baptism-sheet.pdf

*jdel

Yesterday in the message, I cited a couple of things and wanted to make sure to share them here on the blog. I do a lot of reading and anytime I come across something worth passing on, I want to take a sec to make note of it. First up, RELEVANT Magazine.

I’ve been subscribing to this for 3 years now. Love it. Their aim is to bring God, Life, and Progressive Culture together issue by issue and hash it out. Not everything is overtly Christian, so if you’re offended by an open article that might have “heart on your sleeve” “unfiltered” ideas & words- it might be safer for you to stick with Good Housekeeping. If Rolling Stone Magazine, Tribe Called Quest, Picaso, the Newsboys, and the Bible were thrown into a blender and cranked all the way to 11… you’d have RELEVANT.

Second, “Jump Into A Life of Further And Higher” by Efrem Smith

I love this book. Even though Mr. Smith and I don’t see eye to eye on some doctrinal issues, he does a great job creating a dialogue about engaging God on “God’s terms.” It’s a good read. Many people think you can only read people who you theologically agree with. I say that’s an awful idea. Here’s why: If I spend time with, hang out with, listen to, and take advice from people who are only like me… I will only get a very small perspective of life and faith. I strive to read, listen to, study from, and engage authors and speakers from a much broader arena – through a filter. Not every word that man spouts and carries is God’s truth. So, I listen & read, and then measure it according to the message of the Bible. If it fits, sweet. If it doesn’t, it begins to train me to be discerning as to why this was said, what can I learn, how can I test & measure my faith against ideas like this.

I encourage you to be a student.
Always stay in the habit of learning, reading, and submersing yourself into thinkers and dreamers work.
It will stretch you.
I promise.

*jdel

(photo progress here)

*jdel