Happy Birthday Mom!

Today is my Mom's Birthday. She is pictured below with me and my sister, Charm. Please don't tell my sister, but Mom has always liked me best! Happy Birthday Mom. You are the best! Charm and I are blessed to have a Mom who has always "modeled what mattered" and held up a big God for us to see as sovereign and powerful.

The Value Of A Great Assistant

Today marks the one year anniversary of my assistant Emily with me and Explore Church. She is pictured below with her husband Jeff. She has been a tremendous help in her time at Explore Church and it got me thinking: What makes a great assistant? Here is a list that I came up with...and of course--Emily is all of these.

1. A great assistant is proactive and takes initiative.
2. A great assistant has a "can-do" attitude.
3. A great assistant will create less work for you, not more.
4. A great assistant will set you up for success.
5. A great assistant will be a "Gate Keeper" and protect your time.
6. A great assistant will be a sounding board and check your reality.
7. A great assistant will be a time protector to increase your productivity.

Also--a great assistant will make you look good even when you are not looking too good!

Happy Anniversary Emily. You have been an answer to prayer!

Role: Being Dad

Psalm 127:3-4 (ESV)--"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth."

Today is my oldest son's 16th birthday. Where has the time gone? It is amazing how quickly it slips away. As parents we have a short window of opportunity in which to shape, develop, and equip our children. In order to set them up for success in the future, parents must intentionally and strategically train them. Here are seven key areas of learning I want to make sure my boys know and understand and can apply to their lives when they are launched into the world for impact.

1. A Biblical sense of urgency.

This trait would be the opposite of complacency or laziness. I want my boys to have a God-centered focus on the right opportunities and a strong desire to pursue them to completion. I want them to take initiative and risks for the development of their faith and the furtherance of God's Kingdom.

2. Wise Decision-Maker.

The opposite of this would be a foolish, careless decision-maker. I want my boys to make careful, God honoring choices. I want them to consider their past experiences, the present circumstances, and their future hopes, dreams, goals, and desires and pause before making a decision and ask: "Is this a wise thing for me to do?"

3. Christ-like Character.

I want to train my boys to be men of high character. This would mean that they are faithful and reliable, and not quick to compromise. It means that they are self-disciplined and not indifferent toward sin. They are vigilant in their desire to crucify sin in their lives. In addition to killing personal sin, they must learn to serve others in the Christ-like manner, which is selflessly and sacrificially.

4. Desire to Build Unity.

I want to teach my boys to recognize and buy in to a vision that is bigger than they are. This will require humility and the crushing of pride.

5. Courage to Connect.

This trait is about relationship development. First, and most important, is a intimate connection with their heavenly Father. Second, is the connection with key fellow believers that will encourage them and hold them accountable during their spiritual journey. Finally, is the connection with those who do not know their God. This meets Christ's commission on their lives and His expectation that they be both the salt and light in the world around them.

6. Heavenly Perspective.

A skewed perspective will result in fear. I do not want my boys to be paralyzed by problems. I want them to know and trust the goodness of a big God who is there and able to do all things. I want my boys to have a Godly view of what could be and should be even in the midst of personal difficulties.

7. A Will to Finish.

I desire to instill in my boys a high need for closure. I want them to refuse to be quitters just because circumstances prove difficult. I want that they would preserve and press on to the end just like their savior Jesus Christ did.

Yes, time is short and parenting is a privilege. Let us not waste a moment or an opportunity. Parents: MODEL WHAT MATTERS!!!

Happy Birthday Harrison!

Happy 500th Birthday!

Today is the 500th birthday of the great reformer John Calvin. His thoughts and writings have had a major impact on the world. As a result of his 500th birthday and the importance of his writings, I have devoted considerable time this year to studying his life and writings. I recommend you do the same. Below are some books that I have found helpful.

Works by Calvin:

• Calvin: Institutes of the Christian Religion

This two volume work is a systematic theology intended to help new believers better understand their faith. I am reading through this again through out the year. A reading program is available on line entitled "Blogging the Institutes."

• Calvin's Commentaries

This is a massive 22 volume set that includes Calvin's insights and exegetical work on most of the Bible.

• John Calvin's Sermons on Ephesians

• John Calvin's Sermons on Galatians

These titles are self-explanatory.

Biographies:

• John Calvin: A Pilgrim's Life, Herman J. Selderhuis

This biography on Calvin has been my favorite so far.

• John Calvin: and His Passion for the Majesty of God, John Piper

This is a very brief introduction.

• Portrait of Calvin, T. H. L. Parker

This book is highly recommended by John Piper and was his first exposure to John Calvin. The Desiring God website has made a reprint available for a modest price.

• John Calvin: Pilgrim and Pastor, W. Robert Godfrey

• A Life of John Calvin, Alsiter E. McGrath

Additional Books about Calvin and His Works:

• The Legacy of John Calvin, David W. Hall
• Analysis of the Institutes of the Christian Religion of John Calvin, Ford Lewis Battles
• A Theological Guide to Calvin's Institutes: Essays and Analysis, ed. Hall and Lillback
• Calvin in the Public Square, David W. Hall
• John Calvin: A Heart for Devotion, Doctrine, & Doxology, ed. Burk Parsons

Later this year I will do a summary and review of my summer reading, but for now I recommend reading some Calvin.

But It Feels Right...

Can our feelings be trusted? How many times have you made an important decision based on how you feel? In his book, Finally Alive, John Piper offers some insightful thoughts on feelings.

"My feelings are not God. God is God. My feelings do not define truth. God's word defines truth. My feelings are echoes and responses to what my mind perceives. And sometimes--many times--my feelings are out of sync with the truth. When that happens--and it happens every day in some measure--I try not to bend the truth to justify my imperfect feelings, but rather, I plead with God: Purify my perceptions of your truth and transform my feelings so that they are in sync with the truth."

What great advice. Just because you feel a certain way about a matter does not mean it is right or correct. You must carefully examine your emotions and vet them against the truth of God's Word, because your emotions are skewed by your sin nature. Ask God for the wisdom to make good decisions.

Five Challenges

Here are the five challenges that I issued Sunday.  Based on the big idea that "the gift of God is Jesus Christ and in Him alone is eternal life," we should:

1. Accept Christ's Free Gift.

Realize that you cannot save yourself and that Christ died as your substitute.  Remember 1Cor. 10:5.

2. Study His Word So You Can Know Him and Obey Him.

Remember that there is no substitute for the voice of God in your life.  He still speaks to us today through His Word.  Read Psalm 119:11 and begin storing up God's Word in your heart.

3. Be Proactive in Developing Community. 

Don't sit back and wait for others to approach you...make the call!  Pursue accountability, seek opportunities to encourage and edify others.  Invite someone over for dinner!

4. Extend Grace to Others As It Has Been Extended To You.

Strive to leave others better than you found them.  Give people the benefit of the doubt.  Look for visible works of grace in the lives of others.  Don't be so quick to criticize and complain.  I am sure people have offended you...consider if you have offended anyone.  If so, repent and apologize.  

5. Pray For A Holy Ambition.

Read Romans 15:20.  John Piper in describing a holy ambition says:  "It comes from a personal encounter with the living Christ...shaped and informed and empowered by the written word of God."  He adds:  "God doesn't lead us into ambitions that are pointless--that you will regret at the end of your life.  There is always a need to be met--not a need in God, but in the world--by a holy ambition.  Holy ambitions are not about self-exaltation.  They are always a form of love.  They always meet someone's need."

To restate these five challenges in Explore Church language:

1. Explore Faith, Discover Life.

2. Explore Truth, Discover Direction.

3. Explore Friendship, Discover Traction.

4. Explore Service, Discover Impact.

5. Explore Potential, Discover Satisfaction.

And true satisfaction can be found in Christ alone!

Making Your Dream Come True

Are you currently making the wise decisions that will ultimately enable your dream to come true? Are you thinking long term? Have you started with the end in mind? The following dream evaluation questions come from John Maxwell's latest book, Put Your Dream To The Test. Carefully consider these if you desire to see your dream become a reality.

1. The Ownership Question: Is My Dream Really My Dream?
2. The Clarity Question: Do I Clearly See My Dream?
3. The Reality Question: Am I Depending on Factors within My Contdrol to Achieve My Dream?
4. The Passion Question: Does My Dream Compel Me to Follow It?
5. The Pathway Question: Do I Have a Strategy to Reach My Dream?
6. The People Question: Have I Included the People I Need to Realize My Dream?
7. The Cost Question: Am I Willing to Pay the Price for My Dream?
8. The Tenacity Question: Am I Moving Closer to My Dream?
9. The Fulfillment Question: Does Working toward My Dream Bring Satisfaction?
10. The Significance Question: Does My Dream Benefit Others?

We need more God inspired dreams...dream, then execute!