I have missionary friends in literally every part of the world. These are people who sacrifice much for the sake of sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with people who need to know Him as Lord and Savior. Today I’d like you to take a moment right where you are to pray for our international missionaries. Pray for their safety, their obedience, and their families. Most of all, pray that God would use them in incredible ways to impact the Kingdom.

From the comfort of our own homes, it can be difficult to really relate to what many international missionaries endure for the sake of the call. I’ve had the privilege already this month of meeting several new missionary families in person. Their call is evident. Their passion is contagious. Their commitment is clear. Whether here in the United States or around the world, the commission of Christ-followers is to go and share the love and message of Christ at every opportunity. I am immensely grateful for these missionaries who leave their families to go and serve in places where most of us probably wouldn’t desire to go.

If I’ve learned anything at all from my missionary friends, it’s that the love of Christ knows no boundaries and no limits. I invite you to take six minutes of your time right now to watch this beautiful video, put to the world edition of Chris Tomlin’s “How Great is Our God.” I think you’ll be blessed as your heart is drawn to the unreached people all over the world.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” – John 3:16-17 (ESV)

That’s the essence of Christmas. God loves us so much that He gave the perfect gift by sending Jesus to be our Redeemer. “Joy to the world! The Lord is come. Let earth receive her King!”

IT’S YOUR TURN!
Is there any particular people group or region of the world that your heart is drawn to pray for?

Indeed the first one-third of this year has been full of trials for many all over the world. From the political uprisings in the Middle East, to the earthquakes and tsunamis in various places, to the violent and deadly storms just this week, the news reads like a dramatic screenplay of Matthew 24.

In times like these I often ask the question, “How do people who have no faith in God make sense of the trials of this life?” I don’t necessarily know the answer to that question, but I do know that He has placed believers in this world to be the hands and feet of Christ to a world that very much needs to know He is real.

It’s easy in a world populated by some six billion people to have a diminished sense of responsibility. How often have you thought — or even said — to yourself, “Someone else will do it?” Friends, what if we are that someone? Now is not the time to roll over and say, “Woe is me.” Now is the time to stand up to the challenges at hand, with full confidence and faith in Christ that He will work through us to help usher in His Kingdom on earth.

In his book Missional Small Groups, author M. Scott Boren writes:

I find it interesting that Jesus told His disciples, “You are salt, . . . light . . . a city on a hill.” He did not say, “You should be . . . ,” “You would be if . . . ,” or “You could be if . . . .” He declared who they were and equipped them to live in a way that fit this declaration.

Jesus never promised His followers that this life would be easy; quite the contrary. His words in John 16:33 are clear: “In the world you will have tribulation.” Thankfully He doesn’t stop there. “But take heart; I have overcome the world.” He will walk with us through the storms of life, and that brings me great comfort.

I also love this reminder from Psalm 46:1-3:

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. (ESV)

No matter what happens in this world, we can be assured that God is still fully in control.

Whatever trial or trouble you may be facing today, know that if you belong to Christ, then you need not worry about the things of this life because we have the promise of ultimate victory in Him. Just know that the trials we face often provide us with a context in which to connect others to the redemptive message of the Gospel. Let’s be diligent to not squander such opportunities.

I’m mindful today of the words of this familiar chorus:

People need the Lord. People need the Lord.
At the end of broken dreams, He’s the open door.
People need the Lord. People need the Lord.
When will we realize that we must give our lives,
For people need the Lord.

(Phillip J. McHugh & Greg Nelson, 1983)

A number of churches and small groups across the country will join this event live where they are, thanks to the miracle of modern technology. Platt has held ‘Secret Church‘ for several years, and it has now become part of the disciple-making DNA of this local church. Held twice each year, Secret Church continues to draw people from all over the country — so much so that overflow seating is necessary on-site. This in-depth time of Bible study, worship, and prayer is intended to help us identify with the many Christ-followers who meet in secret all over the world — not so much out of fear of persecution as devotion to Christ.

For the first time, LifeWay Christian Resources has partnered with Platt’s mission organization, Disciple-Making International, to make this experience available on a whole new level.

Why would a church-going American want to give up six hours on Good Friday night to participate in this event? That’s the basic question I’ve heard ever since announcing that my own church would host this event. With that in mind, I offer these five reasons to participate in Secret Church:

1. You will be exposed to the vast lostness in this world. Most Christians in America live in a bubble. We live busy lives that intersect with our own churches at many points. Consequently, we often find ourselves surrounded by people who are, for all intents and purposes, just like us. Secret Church will give you an opportunity to see and hear how other believers live out their faith.

2. You will be challenged to re-evaluate your priorities in light of Scripture. Many Christians in America are every bit as self-centered as those who do not belong to Christ. We routinely argue over such trivial things as music styles, ministers’ clothing choices, and the temperature of our multi-level church buildings. We spoil ourselves with the latest and greatest gadgets and complain if a worship service goes a few minutes longer than anticipated — yet wonder why the presence of the Holy Spirit is not sensed more often and more deeply.

3. You will be compelled to know and appreciate God’s Word. Most Christians in America possess several copies of the Bible — but don’t read it regularly. In fact, a 2009 study by the Barna Research Group found that Christians are largely apathetic when it comes to regular reading of Scripture. Still, each year thousands of bibles are smuggled into nations such as China, where there is a deep hunger for the Word of God. David Platt’s love for the Word drives his missions mentality and heart for evangelism and will no doubt anchor his teaching on Friday night.

4. You will be convicted to pray more fervently for the persecuted Church. We have a responsbility to pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters — and to share in their sufferings just as they share in the sufferings of Christ. I can think of no better time than Holy Week to pause and reflect on the price Christ paid for our sins. He was persecuted. He suffered. He was killed mercilessly on a cross that was meant for you and me. All this, and yet so many church-goers wouldn’t want Secret Church to get in the way of their weekend holiday plans.

5. You will be emboldened by believers who risk everything because of their faith in Jesus Christ. Persecution of Christ-followers is real, and Christians in America need to realize that fact. So often we take for granted our ability to gather freely to worship and study God’s Word. This is a stark contrast from the reality of millions of believers around the globe. In fact, 100 million Christians live in areas where they face persecution on a regular basis. 400 million Christians live in places where there is threat of persecution. Though perceived as a long shot at present, the fact is that our country could one day become such a place.

Just think what God could do if only a handful of people at churches all across our nation got radically serious about their faith! Renewal? Revival? Restoration of the Church as ‘salt and light’ to our culture and context? All that and more is possible, if we live out what we say we believe. I don’t know about you, but I’d insist on being a part of such a movement of God.

In Radical Together, Platt writes:

True faith in Christ inevitably produces great work for Christ, not works fueled by the flesh in an attempt to earn our way to God, but works fueled by faith in a life that is abandoned to God. And all of it is by grace.

Wherever you are — and whatever you have planned — I hope you will consider making the Secret Church Simulcast part of your Easter weekend. Who knows? It just might be a catalyst for helping us get more serious about living the abundant life Jesus wants us to have — and sharing His message and love with others.  Click here to find a simulcast location near you.

I’ve always been a real fan of fall. I love the colors and the transition from hot temperatures to cooler, more bearable weather. However, the older I get, the more I love springtime. Having grown up in the deep South, the return of spring was hailed by frolicking wildlife seemingly celebrating the end of the hunker-down season. I remember watching squirrels at play, almost overnight shedding their poofy winter coats for something a little more tailored. The red robins do a similar change of wardrobe that I’ve always found fascinating.

Having returned to the real South from Texas (which I dearly love) nearly two years ago, I’ve again fallen in love with the sights and sounds of spring. Just in the past few weeks, the hills of Arkansas have come alive with flowering trees and shrubs, beautifully brilliant daffodils and tulips (my wife’s favorite), and mysteriously majestic dogwood trees, all of which announce the end of winter. I absolutely love my backyard because of the dogwood that for a period of just a couple weeks transforms the landscape with its bright white blossoms.

Not everything is so cheery in life. If you’re anything like me, you’ve largely given up on finding any good news on TV. In fact, too much time with that can make me quite depressed. I’ve found though that while man is destined to disappoint, God is faithful to do just what He says He will do. Just as his eye is on the sparrow, we can be assured that He is watching over His children. My recent visit to Israel was filled with so many amazing sights. I think my personal favorites were the lilies of the field (seen at left). Jesus himself said that “even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.” (Matt. 6:29, ESV) As you can see, judging from this photo, who could argue that?

In a world filled with so much hurt, pain, sickness, calamity, brokenness, grief, and loss, it helps me to look around and again “taste and see that the Lord is good.” (Psalm 34:8, ESV). When you feel all alone and begin to  think all hope is lost, lift up your head and cast your eyes on the evidence of our Creator — and know that He cares for you. If you’re reading this and don’t know what it’s like to have peace in the midst of the storm, I encourage you to contact me, and let me help you discover new life today. Whatever you may be going through, God can give you just what you need to persevere.

IT’S YOUR TURN!
What is your favorite thing about spring? How do you stay focused on good in a world full of evil?

• I grew up in the deep South but couldn’t care less about hunting or fishing.
    
• I’m only marginally interested in most major sports (although I enjoy the summer and winter olympics — and every two years seems to meet my need).
   
• I’m one of those who watches the glitz and glamour of professional sports and entertainment and silently wonders how much difference could be made if all that money were spent on sharing the gospel and meeting the needs of those less fortunate.
    
• I’m more verbal and more emotional than most guys (which totally messes up the application of all those books on marriage and relationships — you know, the ones whose authors manage to polarize the non-conformists by consistently stereotyping).
      
• I’m not a big movie person (mainly because I have a strong dislike for many of the big-name stars and the values they endorse). And I rarely watch R-rated movies, which definitely limits my options.
      
• I like to read — but only those things that are real-life and deemed relevant to my personal growth (i.e., the Bible, biographies, leadership books). No sci-fi for me, thank you very much.

I could go on, but you probably get the picture. Some of those things are merely personal preferences; others involve the power of choice. As a kid growing up, I often believed what others said about me — basically that I was ‘weird,’ ‘boring,’ and ‘out-of-step.’ However, in my years since high school I’ve come to appreciate the things that set me apart from the majority. I guess you could say that I’m more ‘comfortable in my own skin’ than I’ve ever been.

During his earthly ministry, Jesus said that his followers should be in the world and not of it.  That doesn’t mean that there’s anything inherently wrong with any of the things I mentioned above, but it does mean that when the world looks at believers, they should see something different. Very different. And chances are pretty good that those differences may well find you misunderstood and even hated. Listen to these words of Christ:

“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.” – John 15:18-20a, NIV

Scripture is filled with examples of people who went against the current. I think of Noah, who everyone probably thought was a nut-case. He never had the opportunity to tell them, ‘I told you so,’ because they had washed away by then. I think of Joseph, who in today’s culture would likely have encouraged Mary to abort her unborn baby — a decision that would today draw cheers and applause from irresponsible men all over the world. And I think of Stephen who boldly stood his ground and stuck to his beliefs even though it would cost him his life.

Salmon swim upstream in the ocean waters, sometimes hundreds of miles, to return to the rivers or streams where they were born. They go with a definite purpose — to spawn. As believers we must remember that swimming upstream in this world requires us to stay focused on our purpose — to be salt and light in the world, sharing the Good News, and spiritually reproducing by making new disciples of Christ.

As you go through your week, I encourage you to take time to evaluate your life. Are you running with the crowd and blending right in, or are you swimming against the current of this world and seeking to point others in the right direction?

It has long been said that ministry and leadership can be very lonely, but I’d rather be lonely and with God than loved by the world and living without Him.

Yes, there is a definite upside to swimming upstream:

 ”Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” – Matt. 7:13-14, NIV

Whenever you feel truly alone, take a look around and you’ll find others like you. And there is strength in numbers.

Just watch out for the bears.

IT’S YOUR TURN!
If you swim upstream in this life, in what ways do you find yourself feeling lonely, isolated, or misunderstood? How does swimming upstream impact your relationship with God? With others?

To be completely honest, I have to work at being intentional to get out of my own comfort zone and meet people who aren’t in the church . . . people who aren’t like me . . . people who think and feel differently about news and current events . . and people who basically process life through a whole different lens.

The reality though is that there are many people who call themselves Christians but don’t appear to be any different than the rest of the world. Spiritual immaturity is one of my biggest frustrations as a discipleship pastor — and also the very reason that I’m so passionate about spiritual growth. David Platt, in his book Radical, makes a real case for how Christians in America have in many ways missed the whole point of the gospel. While believers in many other countries are being imprisoned, persecuted, and tortured because of their faith in Jesus Christ, Christians in this country often spend their time arguing about music/worship styles, debating carpet colors, and shopping around for churches that best accommodate their consumer mentality.

I know . . . because I hear these things in my Christian bubble. Often. That’s just one more reason I’m happy to look for avenues to build relationships with non-believers and unchurched people. I believe that it is an absolute sin to focus so heavily on our wants, needs, and preferences to the eternal detriment of those in our communities who are without Christ.

Listen to these words from Platt:

“I think with the way we have unprecedented material blessing, with the way we have a culture built on self, self-esteem, self-confidence. All of these things we begin to twist the gospel into something that it is not. We make it look like us and fit into our lifestyle instead of adjusting our lifestyle to the gospel. In the process we make following Jesus more American than it is biblical. As a result there seems to be a major disconnect between what it means to follow Christ in the first century and what it means to follow Christ in our definition in the 21st century America.” – Christian Post, May 15, 2010

(To read a transcript of David’s interview with the Christian Post, click here.)

Those words are as convicting to me as they are to anyone else. I admittedly have a long way to go in my journey as a disciple. Discipleship is a process; it doesn’t happen overnight. If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, then you don’t have the luxury of deciding whether to be a Christian-in-name-only or a faithful disciple. Being a little bit Christian is just like being a little bit pregnant. You’re either with Him, or you’re without Him . . . and the margin for error is not what you want your eternal destiny to hinge upon.

The times in which we live are absolutely urgent! There are many in our own country who still have not heard the truth of Jesus Christ. As believers, we have one mission in life: to go and preach and make disciples. We are all to be ministers in our own context. May we be diligent to share the Good News — the reason for our blessed hope — while the Father’s mercy provides us the opportunity to do so.

And the next time you hear another Christian complaining about something trivial in the church, take a moment to pray for him or her – and then say a prayer for those brothers and sisters who truly understand what it means to share in the sufferings of Christ.

“Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.” – 2 Timothy 2:3, ESV

For news and  information about persecuted believers, visit Voice of the Martyrs.

IT’S YOUR TURN!
What’s on your heart today? How is God speaking in your life? What are your thoughts about Christianity in America today?

I have deemed 2011 the ‘Year of Intentionality’ for me. I’m going to be much more efficient in my use of time . . . much more focused on the things that matter most — like personal health and relationships . . . and much more disciplined in reviewing my progress at pre-determined intervals.

As I suggested in my last post, I limited myself to five specific resolutions:

1. I will improve my spiritual life by memorizing two Bible verses per month and spending at least 30 minutes per day in prayer and Bible study (above and beyond my preparation for teaching/leading in my ministry position), and read through the entire Bible this year.

PROGRESS TO DATE: I have identified 24 different Bible verses or passages to memorize — and have memorized four new verses to day, utilizing this neat online program to help me. I am using YouVersion to read through my Bible – and I’ve stayed on track. I’ve also seen an increase in the quality of my personal time with God, which has been most refreshing. Now don’t get me wrong. I’ve always tried to make sure and spend time with God; I’m just being more intentional about it this year.

2. I will lose 20 pounds by working out four times per week, cutting out soft drinks and high-fat (especially most fried) foods, drinking at least eight glasses of water per day, and eating nothing after 8:00 p.m.

PROGRESS TO DATE: I scheduled regular workouts for the entire year and have kept my commitment to healthy eating. As a result, I have lost nearly nine pounds since January 1 (which means I’m nearly half-way to my goal!).

3. I will increase the quality of our home/family life by having lunch with my kids at school one time per month and playing a game with the kids at least one evening per week.

PROGRESS TO DATE: I scheduled regular appointments with my kiddos. Unfortunately, our recent winter weather threw a kink in those plans, so I haven’t yet been able to have lunch with them at school. I have played games with them — and even won one or two of them!

4. I will pay more attention to my relationship with my wife. I outlined several action steps, which I won’t detail here.

PROGRESS TO DATE:

5. I will save money by eating more meals at home and putting aside additional money for savings and for mission/charity giving.

PROGRESS TO DATE: The meals at home have actually helped a lot with Goal #2. It’s amazing how much easier it is to control the type and amount of food just by removing some of the temptations (like restaurant menus — with photos).

I’m looking at these five things as ‘vital signs’ for me in this new year. These are the things that make or break the quality of my life. I really struggled with some health issues toward the end of last year. In spite of the fact that I’ve already experienced one kidney stone this year, I’m convinced that I’m going to see a pay-off in the long run. The choices we make today will impact the kind of body we’ll have 20 years down the road.

You know, life really is all about choices. I believe that good things happen when we make good choices one choice at a time. Now I will admit that some of those choices have been difficult ones . . . like buying the mixed box of doughnuts from Shipley today, smelling them in the car on my way to my team meeting, and watching the staff enjoy them before my very eyes. I enjoyed my bowl of whole-grain Cherios — and silently cussed the devil for putting two chocolate-filled doughnuts in that box. Those are my absolute FAVORITE! And they’ve NEVER put them in a mixed box for me before!

I’ll be honest with you. During the past year, my life became a bit unbalanced. I didn’t manage my time as well as I should have. I allowed the poor planning of other people to be my problem. And I at times treated perfect strangers better than my own family. I’m committed to making the choices necessary to become a more balanced and more effective individual, and I believe that commitment is worth keeping.

I know that you might not think resolutions are a worthwhile investment of your time and energy, but I’ve never found myself worse off for resolving to be better. It’s still early in the year . . . and thank God, we can have a fresh start any day of our choosing because His mercies are new each morning. Don’t let 2011 kick you around and beat you up. Take charge of your schedule. Set an example of love for your family. Learn to say ‘no’ to the things that aren’t essential or beneficial. I led a study at my last church called “Freedom from Busyness.” The author, Michael Zigarelli, reminded me that for every ‘yes’ Jesus gave to the many requests during his earthly ministry, there were inevitably more times when he said ‘no.’ I realize that saying ‘no’ is sometimes uncomfortable. Some people might not approve — and that’s just a risk I have to take. I’m learning the truth of the adage: “The people who matter don’t mind, and the people who mind don’t matter.”

Oh, how I wish I’d learned that a long time ago.

IT’S YOUR TURN!
How is your new year going? Have you made any positive changes in your life? What are your ‘vital signs’?

New Year’s Resolution Guide
                                       
IT’S YOUR TURN!
Do you make New Year’s resolutions? If so, how do you keep on track toward your goals? If not, why not?

Regret

Although we sometimes hear about a life lived ‘without regrets,’ we know there’s no such thing as that. We all have regrets that often coexist with feelings of shame, guilt, embarrassment, grief, and even anger — anger at oneself . . . anger at others . . . even anger at God. As Christians we are particularly prone to experience regret, especially over things said or done after our point of salvation — when we knew the right thing to do and intentionally chose to go in a different direction.

Regret can be a powerful force in our lives, distracting us from the reality of life in the present and taking us back to the past with retrospection and hindsight that amounts to chasing after the wind. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if life had an ‘undo’ button? Or at least a ‘reset’ button? Sometimes we experience regret from the time an ungracious word rolls off the tongue. Sometimes we listen not to the gentle spirit of God but rather to the lying and conniving voice of Satan who, as with Adam in Eve, craftily persuades us to tune out the potential consequences of our choices and simply live for the moment. The truth is that our society encourages and to some extent rewards hedonism. If you doubt it, just watch most any ‘reality TV’ show from ‘Big Brother’ to ‘The Bachelor,’ and you’ll see exactly what I mean.

People of all ages and life stages experience regret. Children and teenagers today live at the speed of light and are bombarded daily with multiple competing messages and worldviews. And I don’t just mean text messages. Think for a moment about the messages kids get from such things as billboards, commercials, photos, friends, parents, teachers, the internet, etc. We know that many of these messages point them not in the direction of life but rather in the direction of destruction. Many kids today are completely overwhelmed by the pressures and stressors of growing up too fast and being too isolated from the adults in their lives. Pair social isolation with an overdose of modern technology, and you get a climate that is practically devoid of extended times of peace and quiet during which we are most likely to hear and discern the voice of God. Unfortunately, a large number of these kids are merely following the haphazard examples of their way-too-busy parents. Faced with a complex and divergent set of messages and a hurried lifestyle, kids often find themselves making choices that they will regret for the rest of their lives.

As I look back on this calendar year, I regret to say that I too have regrets — not only for the things I said or did but also for the things I didn’t say or didn’t do that I know I should have. I regret the times when I failed to treat my wife and kids with kindness and respect. I regret the harsh words spoken in anger and frustration to those I love. I regret the times when I passed judgment on others with little thought about my own dirty laundry.

I regret not spending more time seeking God through prayer and Bible study. I regret the missed opportunities to spend time with others, to encourage those in despair, and to share the love of Christ with those who need to hear it. I regret many of the moments that I focused on myself rather than the needs of others. I regret things I ate, things I watched, things I read, things I listened to. More than anything in the world, I regret listening to the lies of Satan, spoken through a variety of mediums, that said simply, “Don’t worry about it. It’ll be fine. It’s a gray area. It doesn’t matter what you do.”

You see, one thing we can count on in life is the predictability of the evil one in his dealings with believers. He knows he cannot have us, but he sure can minimize our witness and our effectiveness as followers of Christ. Satan looks for our points of weakness, our emotional vulnerabilities, and our sins from the past — and he pounces like a lion waiting to devour us. But his pounces are often carefully masked as seemingly innocuous opportunities rather than potentially life-altering temptations. He taps into our shame and guilt and forces those things to the forefront of our minds, where we then turn our focus back to the past with its sorrow, shame, and regret. This is the cornerstone that enables a cycle of shame and guilt that can greatly hinder our ability to accept forgiveness from God and extend forgiveness to ourselves.

My challenge to you in this coming year is to remember that God is in the business of healing, restoring, and transforming lives. Through His Son, Jesus Christ, He gives us the opportunity to experience new life — abundant life here on earth and eternal life in heaven with Him. And even if you’ve done some pretty awful things that grieve you deeply, be assured that “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.” (2 Cor. 5:17, NIV)

As you think through your own version of 2010, I challenge you to honestly acknowledge your sins and regrets to God. Ask his forgiveness for anything that may be unconfessed and is still weighing you down mentally, emotionally, or spiritually. Visualize yourself actually transferring those burdens into the capable hands of a gracious and merciful God. He sent us Jesus that we might experience freedom, yet so often we choose insecurity, doubt, and bondage. Perhaps there is someone from whom you need to ask forgiveness; that can be a freeing thing indeed.

God does not want us to live stuck in the miry pit of our past. He wants us to live with His power in the present, with an eye on the future in anticipation of the return of Jesus Christ. I’m reminded of the lyrics of an old song that speaks poignantly of God’s faithfulness and power:

There is no problem too big God cannot solve it.
There is no mountain too tall He cannot move it.
There is no storm too dark God cannot calm it.
There is no sorrow too deep He cannot soothe it.

If He carried the weight of the world upon His shoulders,
I know, my brother that He will carry You.

As you look forward to the new year, you can be sure that you’ll generate new regrets. It happens. We’re human. But bear in mind that His grace is sufficient for those who believe. Another song puts it this way: “I know many times I’ve been out of His will, but I’ve never been out of His care.” I don’t really know if that line passes the sniff test of the world’s great theologians, but I know those words have spoken to my own heart through the years. Be assured that God has a purpose and plan for each one of us. I don’t know what that looks like for you, but I know that it includes the freedom and peace that comes when we discover new life in Christ — and daily seek counsel from His Word. Perhaps you can use a fresh start in some area of life. Be encouraged by these words from the apostle Paul:

Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” – Phil. 3:13b-14, NIV

I won’t wish you a year without regrets, but I will wish you a year of good health, personal growth, and Christ-based freedom. May 2011 be a banner year for you, a year in which you focus more closely on the things that matter most. May the love and joy of the Lord richly abound in you and flow through you in the year to come.

Perhaps you’re here for the first time and curious about this ‘new life’ that comes through Jesus Christ. Feel free to contact me, and I’ll be glad to visit with you.

IT’S YOUR TURN!
Assuming that you take some time to reflect on the past year and think forward to the new year, what does that process look like for you? (i.e., journaling, discussing with a friend, etc.) Do you need to confess and seek forgiveness from God? From others? Do you have someone to hold you accountable for any personal goals that you set?

Upon waking up at 7:45 a.m. yesterday, instead of my usual ‘Good morning’ greeting to my wife, I simply said, “I’m gonna throw up.” And I did. Unfortunately, that set the stage for a less-than-ideal holiday. The kids enjoyed opening their presents and seeing the things that Santa brought. Michelle cooked up a coffee cake, a fresh batch of party mix, and a birthday cake for Jesus — which, as it turns out, I was really not able to eat.

I’d have given anything to have felt better on Christmas Day because I really wanted to enjoy my family to the fullest extent possible. Since we had no family or friends visiting, in spite of all the decorations and preparations, Christmas became just another opportunity for Michelle to singlehandedly parent the children — while I lay in bed, just trying to stay warm.

Of course, perspective is important and, I think, key to understanding life. The reality is that despite my sickness, we are still among the most blessed people in the world. Consider this:

• While we were enjoying our traditional minestrone soup on Christmas Eve, millions of people around the world went to bed hungry. Again.
• While we were opening an exorbitant number of gifts, all beautifully wrapped, millions of people around the world had nothing at all to open.
• While we were contemplating whether to keep or exchange that less-than-fashionable piece of clothing, millions of people around the world struggled to stay warm.
• While we were reading the Christmas story from the Bible, millions of people around the world had never held a Bible.
• While we were in our comfortable, climate-controlled and elaborately decorated homes, millions of people around the world were among the growing homeless population.

The truth is that most Americans do not just live in excess; we are absolutely spoiled rotten. The other truth is that, if I’m totally honest, I usually don’t see the vast needs of others in the world — because I choose to not see it.

It’s not comfortable.

It’s not real.

It’s exaggerated.

As I think forward to the year 2011, I am determined to look at the vastness of needs around me. I’m determined to lead my own family to leave their comfort zone and be part of the solution to the problems in this world. I’m determined to be less focused on my needs, my wants, and my comfort, and to focus more on the many practical needs of others.

More than festive, lighted decorations . . . more than a five-star Christmas dinner . . . more than pausing just for a few minutes to think about Jesus’ birth, it is following Christ’s example of humility and selflessness that most glorifies Him — not only at Christmastime but throughout our lifetime.

So, rather than harping on the fact that I was sick on Christmas Day, I choose to thank God that I had a warm place to stay, food to eat, a Bible to read, and a family to love.

I am blessed among men in more ways than I could ever begin to count. And I choose to be grateful for His blessings on me and my family.

It’s Your Turn!
On what things in life do you perhaps need a new perspective?