Do Not Be a Christmas Goober

Most of us have certain songs, movies, locations, functions, clothes, etc. that we have come to intertwine with the Christmas season over the years. Many of us have looked with great expectation to those things to bring us warmth, memories, and/or happiness at this time of year.

While these things can lead to great and wonderful reflection (which they should), they can quickly become harmful when they become our hope for future joy. Future meaning tomorrow, the next day, or the next day. They will certainly be found wanting in the end.

Do not be a Christmas goober. A Christmas goober is someone who wants and wants and wants and wants all for themselves. Not just presents, but feelings. This year, do something that is for the interest of someone else that you normally would not do. Something supernatural. Not just a nice present, but something that may make you feel uncomfortable, but needs to be said or done.

Pslam 23 says, "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want."

Mark Batterson and Going Primal

I just received Mark Batterson's new book "Primal" as a free gift from him to lead pastors. First of all, that is an admirable thing to do. I believe he gave out thousands; all as a way of saying thanks to pastors. I plan/hope to remain focused enough as we launch Clarity not to loose the roots of personal generosity and kindness. It may sound funny to say that in planting a church you are in danger of losing those core qualities, but I believe it to be true. It's not hard to slip into being a full time minister and a part time follower of Christ... something I NEVER want to be.

"I couldn't help but wonder if we have diluted the truths of Christianity and settled for superficialities... The quest for the lost soul of Christianity begins with rediscovering what it means to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strenth... Think of it as love to the fourth power." - Mark Batterson

Get the book at evotional.com.

Marriage Matters

It has been said, "It is easiest to be a phony follower of Christ at church and it is hardest to be a true follower of Christ at home." This rings very true for me, especially as my family expands now to a wife and little baby girl. As pressure and responsibility increase, it is so important for me to humble myself before my wife and commit to grow. Charisma (not that I have that much) won't get me by in my home life. I am learning that it is essential to put just as much (probably more) energy and effort into my marriage and family as it is any church plant, message, or job.

So if this applies to you too, lets put our focus where our focus ought to be... on the ones that God has entrusted to us and to whom we have made a beautiful covenant in love.

My beautiful wife, Jessica... now the most wonderful mother to our daughter, November.

Some of My Notes

...some of my notes from the last web series video in the "Dead Without You" series called "Rubber Meets Road." View the full message at claritylife.org. (sorry for the wrong lettering and numbering)

1. Religion is the enemy of the gospel....
2. Religion says I obey, therefore I am accepted. Gospel says I am accepted, therefore I obey. Both are trying to conform to the life of Christ, but for two utterly different reasons. They can look very similar.
3. Four distinct differences...

1. How they react to suffering

1. Religion- I must have messed up. Or God owes me, After all, I’m a good tax payer.
2. Gospel- God is allowing this, but I trust Him to work it for good. This is not my home.

1. How they react to criticism

1. Religion- As a religious person I must think of myself as a good person, because after all, I am earning salvation. So criticism hits me hard and personally attacks my effort.
2. Gospel- I am imperfect yet made perfect through Christ. Yes, I stink, but in him, I don’t, and neither do you so lets go.

1. Who’s in control

1. Religion- I am earning this through hard work therefore I have my rights. God can only ask so much of me, after all, this is my life.
2. Gospel- If this gospel is really true, I lose all my rights in him, while gaining a kingly inheritance at the same time, and God can ask anything of me at all!

1. How they view others

1. Religion- Acceptance is based solely on how hard I work, therefore, I must look down on the those I perceive as lazy and/or ineffective. There is an identity factor I’m looking for, maybe rich, maybe good looking, maybe having perfect doctrine or the perfect ideas, maybe being the best, etc. I scoff at all those beneath me.
2. Gospel- Since this is acceptance is a free gift I could never earn, I offer it to others freely without disdain or disapproval.

1. Accept that you are accepted and then work as one who has been given all things freely unto the one who gave it to you!
(Thankful for ideas borrowed from Tim Keller)