stand against the wind

another great book by mcmanus...i like the servant aspect...discovering that people learn to care by going out beyond the comfort zone...into the wind so to speak...it takes humility to acknowledge we need to see from God's perspective...and humility to say we need him in every existing moment, and an amazing amount of grace to live a life like him...

Phil 2:5-8NCV
In your lives you must think and act like Christ Jesus.

Christ himself was like God in everything. But he did not think that being equal with God was something to be used for his own benefit.

But he gave up his place with God and made himself nothing. He was born to be a man and became like a servant.

And when he was living as a man, he humbled himself and was fully obedient to God, even when that caused his death -- death on a cross.

i often think that we are the Jesus people see...i often wonder if people can see/sense the Christ in me...as i learn to serve better, kinder, with more love... i'm believing His presence will be the fragrance that flows through my life...practical outworking...of an inworking...

i must decrease, he must increase... is a life long goal to be the Jesus people can see...

get on the bus...a treasure

back on the bus today with many newbies...great to see kids, mom's and dad's sowing kindness...

one lady was grateful for the groceries and looked out the door and saw a treasure of furniture that was being discarded...her mom had been sleeping on the floor and she spied with her eye a suitable bed...some of the team helped her drag the bed to her house...what is one persons trash is an other persons treasure...(perhaps i'll return with a better bed)

tonight...i think i'll voice a prayer of thanks for my bed, my family and the basics that are provided...

in our south people are still sleeping in tents...

inward outward...seize the day

had an interesting experience today with a lot of pastors meeting to seek how to bring inpact world tour to dayton over the next few years the speaker laid down the lines"
most of our churches are inward rather than outward
the generation emerging is captured by passionate and costly call to follow...
come follow me and i will make you fishers of men
if anyone wants to follow me let him deny himself take up his cross daily...
he spoke of the power and presence of Jesus is always linked to go reaching the lost, the least and the lonely...

i agreed with the thinking and the worldview he was presenting...however...most are far from outward focused and are in the humanist view...what's in it for me...and my church

having attempted to work with several groups over the last few years most are content to stay in the church status quo ... a come to rather than a go to group of believers...and don't have a clue that the church culture is repelent rather than attractive to the seeking on looker.

it reminded me of some conferences i've spoken to where the movement, the grouping, were seeking to survive rather then abandon comfort for change....i've thought to late, to little and much self seeking...sad

also noticed that the para church people are at times mad at the church for the churches undeniable inward focused tradition...again sad

what to do ... what to do...

i think and hope somehow change will come...it has to...or we are just going through the motions...


last thought

the speaker spoke about the emerging generation needs challenge, purpose, and power to be different and to change the would as a authentic represention of the kingdom of God...interestingly...this is true for every generation... it was for me in the 70's 80's 90's and 2000's generations...

david served the purpose of God in his generation and fell asleep...

while encouraged I am at the same time think...the same old...the same old...

outward focused...is a choice...a way of life... a desire to change the world one person at a time ...

...seize the day...

they are gone

just been looking at some info on the net a blog...brought up all kinds of feelings...you know, the feelings and thoughts that spring from knowing someone well, and being wounded...thoughts like:they don't have a clue...where are they living?...wow talk about being self-absorbed and an attempt to impress others with self...

i realize the issues i'm seeing are not really their issues but my issues...bottom line i've been wounded and i'm still recovering... the reality, healing just takes time and choosing to forgive is sometimes a process...what to do?... i just need to let go and continue to move forward...forget and walk out forgiveness...





one guy speaking said, 'if you drop your keys into a lava stream they are gone!'



there is a better stream... the stream of life...if i choose to drop your stuff into that stream the stuff is removed and the by product.. i become the healed...

interesting to think you are over something but discover you are not...

live like you were dying...

great day yesterday...my friend john did an excellent job communicating live like you were dying...living life around the things that really matter...seek first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added to you...he had some great illustrations one with rice a jar and tennis balls...he relayed the ammount of hours per day we needed to complete our daily lives by pouring rice in to the jar...then the things that mattered the tennis balls were then added...only problem...with all the rice in the jar the balls didn't fit...then he moved on...talking about 4 life elements that mattered...he poured out the rice inserted the tennis balls and then poured in the same rice into the jar over the tennis balls amazingly the rice fit in the jar along with the tennis balls...point made...

ended the talk with a video live like you were dying by tim mcgraw...very good vibe and communication...

for the free notes and message see daytonvinyard.com/media

gym

got back to the gym yesterday...a goal to loose 5lbs and to walk daily...my back is feeling better...i jumped into the hot tub and let the jets do the work...pattie is walking daily and doing great.

we have a kidless house this weekend...it's different...nathan is now going to a methodist church youth night called rush...it sounds interesting and we are glad he is interested in spiritual things and is thinking...

check out this link chasing the light...
www.mosaic.org click chasing the light...

i'm reading erwin mcmanus stand against the wind it is a small paged... thought provoking book. i mentioned to our men's guy that a lot of people are writing shorter books...this one is short...very creative i like how they use film, dance, drama, art and environment to connect to the participants in their meetings.

emerge

training and encouraging young leaders is an interesting ride and view...we have a good leader who is leaning and exploring...open...teachable...a servant...leaning to view tasks and people differently...setting goals and going forward...and processing...open to help...honest...pressing into passion...

my style of leading is listen, coach, get feedback, help problem solve, encourage, affirm and watch, model, let them stretch wings and learn to fly...

others i've notice in life seek to control, mess, dictate, smother, point out faults, see glass half empty, don't understand learning is an experience, and the school of life is the best teacher...are hands on, which means they are the important person etc.

i'm leaning that some people always want to meddle, point out the negative, instead of affirming the positive, it's like a never good enough you'll never measure up attitude...

which is really an issue of self importance rather than humility, seeking to make others succeed...if all you are going to care about is yourself then that's all you're going to have mcmannus stand against the wind...

pause