Could you imagine growing up to the point where you learned to speak and talk and then having your development come to a screeching halt? Don’t get me wrong, I am not talking about staying a toddler, I am asking you to imagine being a fully grown adult with the emotional and educational capacity of a toddler?

I am convinced that if we drew a parallel to our spiritual lives most of us could recognize some similarities. Maybe we should call it Spiritual Developmental Disability, haha I’m not sure. But I am sure that in some to some regard each of us can relate to the idea.

See the difference between Passionate Christians(PC’s) that become world changers and lukewarm Christians isn’t much. Simply said the only difference is being honest about where you are and responding to your developmental disability. Truth is that it really isn’t much of a disability…its much more of a choice to not grow, develop, worship, pray, tithe, serve and read the word…and experience a HUGE, loving Creator God who adores you.

My heart is convinced that its time for us to Grow Up. Tonight will set the stage for the next several weeks for the intensity of Profile//PC 2. Tonight we are going to engage the single idea of what it means to have the key to fullness in Christ…hope you will join us.

living//PC

I just sat down at my desk to study for next Wed, but I can’t shake something. I literally left my Great Aunts Memorial service to study for PURE next week, and while I sit studying a reoccurring thought goes through my mind…70 years…70 years of chasing, living, and intimately knowing Jesus.

This past Thanksgiving I had the chance to sit with my Aunt and chat over dinner. She had just been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer…but for her life just went on, and there just seemed to be an assurance…I know when its going to end now, that is all that has changed.

At dinner that night a funny thought rolled through my head, ‘I wonder if she remembers the moment she met Jesus?’ The night before was a Wed and we had several people make decisions, so it was at the forefront of my mind and after a few seconds of wondering I vocalized my question. And without hesitation Aunt Fran began to tell me the most amazing story of how she met Jesus.

She was in 4th grade Sunday school at Compton 1st Baptist Church when her teacher shared a simple Gospel message with the class and asked them if anyone wanted to know Jesus. She teared up as she told me how she crawled to her knees folded her hands in put her face into the chair of her desk kneeling as she prayed the sinners prayer.

By now I am choked up at the visual of a little 8-9 year old girl with her hands folded on her knees meeting Jesus for the first time. I think the best part of a story like my Aunt’s is that its didn’t end with that prayer…Her life became a commitment to the Kingdom. In everything she did she was kind and servant hearted. She loved her family and loved others with the same conviction…and the best part she did it for 70 years. She knew Jesus for 7 decades…There are few people in the world that can say that…but the best part is that there are many more people who can say they were touched by her legacy…not because she was a preacher, but because she loved people.

living//PC

When we give the opportunity Jesus will always teach…Actually He is always trying to teach us…but when we stop and listen He seems to speak louder.  So when I turned down the volume of life a little I found a few more things to add to the ‘What I am Learning List.’ What’s your list? Don’t have one…time to starting writing.  To lead and influence people we have to know what we are learning and not let go of the things He’s teaching…enjoy.

1. Love, and Above All Be Kind- This is one that I cant let go of or move past…maybe a new cause? Quite possibly.  We often think that its our sacrifice that turns hearts and influences lives.  Jesus always used sacrifice as an avenue to communicate KINDNESS.  If we are KIND there is no need to worry about sacrifice it will come naturally.  Choosing kindness means letting HIM give it to us.  It is not something that comes instinctively…It comes with transformation and heart change.
2. Success = Sustainability- Most of the time we are quick to quantify our success with tangible results (numbers, degrees, positions, etc.).  But I am learning that Jesus doesn’t quantify, and while I have know this for a loooong time…knowing and living are two different things.  Jesus’ measure of success in the Kingdom has everything to do with sustainability.  Its not about how quick we can accomplish something, often its about the journey along the way (its the ‘Climb’ for you Miley Cyrus fans). Quit looking for the results and know that Jesus craves a life long love affair with you…then and only then can you see the world change.  Colossians 2:10
3. Lifes a River- More and more I am convinced that life is a river.  A strong vibrant flow of water that has all the blind turns and roaring rapids that we try and hide from everyday.  But I am sure of this…The rapids and tough places are our destiny and if we are going to be successful at helping others through the rapids of life…we better learn how to navigate the river safely.  Crossing the river means taking risk, and yeah the occasional boulder will creep up…ouch.  And boulders…well they are another opportunity for us to learn and cling to Him.
4. Failure = Opportunity- The boulders of life will show up…that’s part of the game.  But the question is, what do we do when they bash us resulting in failure?  Something I am sure of…Failure isn’t Game Over.  Failure is prime real estate for us to earn trust with people.  I am convinced that failure isn’t the point that we loose trust…its what we do with that failure that makes or breaks opportunity.  Do we own the mistake and heal the wounds we have created, or do we hide the failure until it explodes in our face?  No major failure started off huge, they always start small and grow.  Be transparent and the minor mistakes don’t have to become major failure… you might just be surprised by how much trust you gain with those around you.

living//PC

I’m no tech engineer but in a few minutes Steve Jobs will go live and millions of viewers will tune in to listen to him address…a MISTAKE.  Apple and mistake haven’t been frequently used words in a same sentence for some time…maybe since the late 90′s.  No matter who you are, Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, a pastor, teacher, or contractor with every mistake remains opportunity.

Truth is when we make a mistake, which we all do, no matter how large or small (even if its a leaking hole of oil in the ocean, or you were unfaithful in a relationship) what really matters is what you do…after.  Far too often we look back wishing we could turn time back and make things right when the true opportunity is in front of us.  What opportunity?  Trust.  In every mistake there is an opportunity to earn trust.

We all know how easy it is to Monday morning quarterback someone else’s decision…but when its you that has failed…what do you do?  Do you own your failure or find ways to spin a failure into someone else’s mistake?  Imagine how much trust can be earned if, as a leader or a human being, we chose to stare failure in the face, embrace it, and apologize not in word but action.  By making things right, no matter what the cost be it financial or pride, we can earn trust with those that we have let down.

Next time someone lets you down…or looses your trust, look for what they do on the other side of the mistake.  True influences and leaders in this life will pick up, make things right, and work to earn your trust back.  Anyone who is willing to that deserves your trust…after all isn’t that what you’d want if it was you who failed?

Next time you fail, which you will, remember…With every mistake is an opportunity to earn trust.

living//PC

I am convinced now more than ever that life, both spiritually and physically moves in seasons.  The longer you walk with Jesus the more aware you become of the seasonal changes…and the more you learn to invite them in and anticipate whats next.  Personally I am more aware of them each year because they have been defined by my time here in Cambodia for the last few seasons.  This year is no exception.  Each time I hop on a plane I grab my journal and scribble a couple questions:

1. What do you want with me during this time?
2. What’s Next?

The questions inevitably seem to get answered, never in the manner I anticipate they will be (which always seems to be the case with Jesus and life) but they always get a response…and the last two weeks…well lets just say…I cant wait to share my heart with each of you.

God is big…really big and He’s asking us if we will live like He is.  Kindness is Love…chasing His greatest commandment.

Shane

living//PC

Funny thing about life is that we perpetually try to remove the uncertainty from it….yet uncertainty is all but a rule of nature.  At some point each of us has had a life plan that detailed out (even if its in your head) the minutiae of the future.  Kids, cars, income, spouse…pets. We have all made plans for our lives because it takes the mystery and anticipation out of it all…the uncertainty…and makes it controllable.

What if life was never meant to be controlled?  That’s a scary idea, if you’re like me, because when we think about the reality that ‘This life isn’t ours, it never has been, and never should be,’ makes it impossible to be ok with controlling.

Faith on the other hand is a whole different challenge in itself…simply because faith can not be couple with certainty…they aren’t compatible…reality is that if we want to be faith filled people…we have to learn to embrace uncertainty…and that is a leap in spiritual maturity that can take each of us to a new place…”Spiritual maturity is less about figuring out the future and more about the moment-by-moment sensitivity to the Spirit of God.” (Mark Batterson)

Truth time…Uncertainty in FAITHLESS people becomes fear, but to faith filled people uncertainty is embraced.

Jesus promised us He would make a way for us, He would provide for us and He would protect us.  He took a risk on us…time for us to take a risk on Him…uncertainty is at hand holding the possibility for world change unlike we could imagine…will we embrace it?

John 10 tonight…

living//PC

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

When the ‘Committee of 5′ sat down to pen the Declaration something tells me that amidst all the opposition and formidable uncertainty they had no clue that they were about to alter human history.  Like the Founders, if you would have told the first church that they would one day be able to see billions of people around the world stop for a whole day every year and worship the king they suffered for…they undoubtedly wouldn’t believe it.

This weekend…take a step back…sometimes when it seems like you arent overcoming much anything or accomplishing  much…you are.  More often then not destiny is being formed and made as you walk…just remember that all world changing experiences started with one word ‘Yes.’ Yes in the face of odds and opposition…

Like the founding fathers, Jesus is asking us to believe for world change, spiritual world change…whats our answer?

living//PC

A few nights ago I was flipping channels…and stopped for a second and when the scene changed…it cut to a guy and a girl in a suite over looking the Vegas strip…she was clothed suggestively…and whispered seductively in a mans ear “You can have anything you want.”

Wonder what the adulterous woman that Jesus saves in John 8 would say to this couple…no doubt that Jesus will let us do what we want…But I have to think that the adulterous woman (lets call her Grace) would look those two in the eyes and tell her story of failure and second chance.

How many of us have believed this…or still do?  That we can have anything we want…after all we did grow up being told we can do anything we put our minds too…right?

Something tells me Grace would sit each of us down and say just a few things one being “He will love you no matter what you do, He is amazing like that…but that doesn’t mean there wont be consequences to pay.  From my heart to yours chase what His plan is for you…it will save your heart much pain and failure.”

The heart of passionate Christianity = This life not being our own…never has been, never should be!

living//PC