I attended Chuck Bomar’s breakout about College Ministries at the Orange Conference.

I learned a lot and have many notes to digest.  Today I only want to focus on two statements that I’m still chewing on…

80% of young adults at 18 yrs old walk away from the church even after years of faithful attendance growing up.

80% of young adults 18-23 yrs old believe they have a personal responsibility to meet the needs of those less fortunate.

Interesting to me that people who feel such responsibility to clothe the naked and feed the hungry are walking away from the vehicle God intended for those actions.

Are you making a connection?

I had one of those conversations with my 9-year old today.

“Mom?  When will you let me watch Gremlins?”

It was marked down to $3 in the check-out line at Target.  I saw the film more than once in the 80’s.  Seems like an innocent flick to allow my son to watch.  But I thought the same thing about ‘Back to the Future’.  I’d forgotten what a potty mouth Marty McFly had.

It was difficult to explain why I didn’t think my son should watch the movie.  He’s recently become aware of the ‘rating’ factor and PG tells him its no big deal.  But I feel differently.  Resisting the urge to play the ‘I said so’ card, I wanted him to understand there are better places to spend your time.

Last weekend in Toon Town the kids saw week 2 of BabyProof.  I was glad I caught some of it.  It helped me explain why this movie wasn’t a good idea to watch.  Call it a shameless plug… I don’t care.  If you’re looking for a way to explain to your kids why some movies, shows and/or music just aren’t worth our time, then check out the video.  It helps. 

God has a way of stopping me in my tracks. 

Thankfully I’m a little better at listening. 

A little.

It’s been a rough few months in ministry.  And it’s beginning to wear on me.  Much of the stress is surfacing and my ability to fend it off is diminished. 

It’s a road I’ve traveled before and thankfully I recognize the signs.  But it doesn’t change the fact that it’s wearing on me.

Today God stopped me in my tracks.  I had my plans.  My schedule… and it was full.  Full of all the ministry ‘things’ that must be accomplished so that I shine as a ministry leader.  That’s my problem.

Leaving my first appointment of the day, I walk to my car only to find a flat tire. 

“I can do this”, trying to convince myself.

I don’t freak out.  I know how to change a tire.  My dad showed me when I was 16.  (I’m almost 36… it’s been a while) 

But I don’t think the point of the excercise is to freshen up my tire changing skillz.  I think the point is God is asking me to stop and define a few things. Stuff like…

• ministry work vs. ‘busy’ work
• tasks He’s handed me vs. tasks I’ve contrived for myself
• the Holy Spirit prompting me vs. my own concieted, people-pleasing, self-gratifying heart leading me

He has a way of stopping me in my tracks… literally.  Because He knows I won’t hear Him any other way. 

So, I’m listening now, Lord.

so, last weekend chris beall spoke to lifechurch.tv.

probably one of the most challenging messages i’ve heard in a long time.

all because of one statement. chris talked about a table he built himself. although it appears to be a simple table, appearances don’t tell you what went into it’s creation. only chris can tell you about the type of wood he chose, the type of joints he fashioned, etc. only chris can tell you what this simple table is capable of based upon its design.

then the applicable shift…

“you don’t know what you’re capable of. you didn’t make you.”

that line hit me like a ton of bricks.

how many times have i thought, “i can’t take this anymore. i can’t do this. etc, etc.”

how do i know what i’m capable of. i didn’t make me.

God made me. and He knows exactly what i’m capable of enduring, producing, and even conquering.

click here to see what i’m talking about.

thanks, chris. God is awesome through you.

…teachable moment.”

That’s what I was always told. And I believed it for a long time. That’s why conversation at the dinner table looks a little like this…

Keegan: “I had the most FUN at Enrichment Class today!”

Mom: “Really, honey. Don’t talk with food in your mouth. So, what did you do?”

Keegan (swallowing): “We builded this cool tower out of these fat, flat sticks.”

Mom: “The word is ‘built’, buddy. Not builded. That’s cool. Do you mean you used tongue depressors?”

Keegan: “No, mom. They were flat, fat sticks.”

Mom (chuckling): “They are tongue depressors, son.”

Keegan: “Oh”

Everyone returns to their meal. Keegan is corrected in the proper etiquette of table manners, and the correct term for those ‘flat, fat sticks’. But we heard nothing about how the tower was built, why he enjoyed making it so much and what else he thought he could make with those ‘fat, flat sticks’.

Not every moment is a teachable moment. Sometimes you just need to let things slide. Would you enjoy talking to someone that constantly corrected you? Probably not.

Kids give you numerous opportunities to teach them.

Pace yourself.

I hope it sticks.  But I know that I’ll probably fall off the wagon soon.  That’s the way of addiction, right?  But with time, prayer and accountability possibly the falls off the wagon grow farther apart.  I hope.

I confess to an addiction.  Probably not the first few vices that pop in your head.  Alcohol.  Drugs.  Whipped Cream cans.  (although there was a time…  But I digress. )

My addiction is far more suttle.  And far more socially acceptable. 

I’m addicted to comfort. 

I like being comfortable. 

I like my warm clothes.  I love my bed.  My pillow and I are pretty tight.  I’m so addicted to these creature comforts that I take for granted the blessing they are. 

Yesterday it would have been a foreign thought that my bed and pillow are blessings.  Yet today I look at them entirely different.  I spent the morning serving breakfast to a group of people that don’t have such simple comfort.  It’s sobering. 

Lord, place people in my life to draw me out and keep me out of my inward-focused world!  Break this addiction in me. 

i know it’s going to hit

when you ask God for change… refinement… the ‘what am i missing’ stuff…

i know God wants to reveal but i don’t know if i’m in the right place for it

so i’m waiting

wishing i caught on sooner and hoping i don’t miss it again

Here are some great blogs that caught my attention.

Floating Axhead talks about crossing the line. You be the judge.

Eric’s thoughts sober me.

Feeling trapped? Here’s what Scott has to say.

One of the most creative blogs I’ve seen.  Explicit verbage.

And… Bob reminded me how to serve my husband. Thanks Bob!

Last week my friend was planning for the arrival of her second child in February. 

Yesterday she planned his funeral.

Three days ago she sat in the NICU begging God for his life.

Today she sat in a funeral home begging God for His comfort.

We have no idea the heartbreak that awaits us tomorrow. 

But we can know the comfort that He brings us today. 

“Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be.  Remind me that my days are numbered, and that my life is fleeing away.  My life is no longer than the width of my hand.  An entire lifetime is just a moment to you; human existence is but a breath.”  Psalms 39:4-5

See you soon little Jeremy.

A great question.  But it does not refer to those who might steer you the wrong way.  Instead it refers to those who will challenge your world.

Who will ruin you?

Who will walk into your comfortable existence, give you a mirror and lead you to become uncomfortable?  Who will lead you to a more dangerous pursuit of Jesus? 

Find them quick.  There’s no time to lose.