I’m playing in a dodgeball tournament today. My strategy is to stick to the five D’s of dodgeball as taught by Patches O’Houlihan.

This is my training regimen as I prepare to relive my middle school years throwing balls at people- thus feeling better about myself.

Dodge

I have two kids. Both about waist level. Both like to punch their dad. So yeah, I’ve gotten pretty good at moving out of the way of a lethal blow. Risk is important in dodgeball.

Dip

I couldn’t figure out how to train for this one so I put away some Fritos with bean dip. Nutrition is important in dodgeball.

Duck

I try to make snide remarks to my wife in hopes that she would throw a Campbell’s soup can at me. So far I’ve been effective and as a result, I’ve gotten pretty good at ducking. Although our marriage has taken a hit. Sacrifice is important in dodgeball.

Dive

I find that lunging for the remote control before another member of my family gets to it has been very useful. I’ve been able to fine-tune my timing with the added bonus retaining power over the television. Control is important in dodgeball.

Dodge

Walking into busy traffic and avoid being hit is just sound strategy. This translates well to the turbulent world of dodgeball. Dodging 1 out of 10 vehicles is like batting .900. Odds are important in dodgeball.

I hope these tips help you become a world-class dodgeball player.

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Here’s the soundtrack of my life right now.

• I Will Possess Your Heart - Death Cab For Cutie
• Viva La Vida - Coldplay
• (Sittin’ On) the Dock of the Bay - Otis Redding
• Pork and Beans - Weezer
• Godspeed - Anberlin
• Run (I’m a Natural Disaster) - Gnarls Barkley
• March (A Prelude to Spring) - Jon Foreman
• Infiltrate - Worth Dying For
• Casimir Pulaski Day - Sufjan Stevens
• Love is Here - Tenth Avenue North
• What Do You Think About That - Montgomery Gentry
• Something To Believe In - Poison
• See the Sun - The Kooks
• I Miss You Now - Stereophonics
• Make Some Music - Ziggy Marley
• Rapid City South Dakota - Dwight Yoakam
• Breathe In Breathe Out - Mat Kearney
• Everyday - Buddy Holly
• My December - Linkin Park
• Fa-Fa-Fa - Datarock
• Monkey Wrench - Foo Fighters
• The Maker of Noses - Rich Mullins
• With a Little Help From My Friends - Joe Cocker
• I Want a Broken Heart - Derek Webb

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Great reminder:

1. I am not invincible. I can get sick, sin, and weary.
2. I am not immortal. I am going to die.
3. I am not indispensable. The kingdom keeps going without me.
4. I am not an island. I need friends around me.

[HT: Bob Roberts Jr:  The Multiplying Church]

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As I read about the cyclone that devastated Myanmar, I was floored when I saw that over 100,000 people may have died as a result.

Let that sink in.

100,000 human beings.

And yet, my biggest complaint today is the gas prices.

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This may come as a surprise to some- but I’m a skeptic. It must be the Simon Cowell in me.

The upside of this is I can typically spot when someone (or something) is genuine.

The flip side of this is I can also spot when someone (or something) isn’t.

It seems I’m constantly finding dishonesty, slants, biases, agendas, and exaggerations in various places. From the news I watch, the books I read, and the stories I hear. Even things in my own life.

I’m not sure if a follower of Christ, who is planting a church, is supposed to admit that- but it’s the truth. I have difficulty taking much of anything at face value.

Our beliefs or experiences may be genuine- but our beliefs or experiences may not be right. That’s why we need something to base it on beyond our own thoughts, opinions, passions, emotions, and experiences.

Thank God for the Bible.

When I hear about signs, wonders, healings, miracles, revivals, movements, teachings, and other spiritual matters- I don’t automatically bite. BUT- I don’t automatically discount it either. I do what we all should do- discern it.

Here is how I discern whether or not something is from God or not:

Check the Bible. (Does the Bible speak for or against this?)
If it’s not biblical, It’s not a God-thing.

Examine the motivation. (Is this man-centered or Jesus-centered? Who gets the glory?)
If Jesus is central and glorified, this could be from God. If not, beware!

Look for real change. (Is there evidence?)
If it’s biblical, Jesus is central and glorified, then it’s likely someone (or something) has changed. A heart, a mind, a body, a life, a family, a city, a country, a world.

I do believe that God still moves. I’ve seen lives changed- including my own. But it’s wise to be discerning about spiritual matters. It can be messy, confusing, weird, counterfeit, and deceptive.

God is a good God of order. Thankfully he’s given us some cautions, wisdom, and guidance in Scripture to help us navigate the waters of spirituality.

Mark 13:21-22
“At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect—if that were possible.”

Matthew 7:15
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves”

1 John 4:1
“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”

Romans 16:17-18
“I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.”

2 Peter 2:1-3
“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God.”

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Mark Driscoll, one of the pastors at Mars Hill Church in Seattle, answered this question on the doctrine of election:

“If humans are so utterly sinful that we can’t even choose Jesus what right does He have to judge us? If we cannot choose good then isn’t judgment against us unjust?”

His response is one one of the clearest explanations I’ve ever heard.

See also:
Romans 9
Ephesians 1:3-11
John 10:27
Romans 11:5-7
Mark 13:20
Matthew 24:31

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I recently had a chance to catch up with a guy from high school. He was one of those people that had it all- the All-American Boy. He was smart, athletic, funny, and liked by pretty much everyone. I don’t remember who was voted “Most Likely to Succeed”- but he would have had my vote.

As we connected about the journey of our lives from high school through today, I realized I had made some assumptions that weren’t true. While on the outside everything seemed perfect, he was dealing with some pretty hefty issues. Things I would have never guessed.

It’s interesting what you discover when you scratch beneath the surface.

When I think about some the assumptions people have made about me, it makes me laugh. Here are some real life examples:

“You don’t know what it’s like to come from a broken home.”
My family tree is filled with broken branches.
“You’ve don’t know what it’s like to serve your country.”
4 years- active duty- U.S. Air Force
“You’ve never had your heart shattered and learned to love again.”
Don’t get me started.
“You don’t know what it’s like to be poor.”
Two words: Government cheese.
“You don’t understand what it’s like to adopt a child.”
Let me introduce you to my pride and joy- my son Reece.
“You don’t know what it’s like to be unattractive.”
You’re right about that one. I’m incredibly, ridiculously good-looking.

I could go on- but you get the point.

Don’t be fooled by the shiny surface. Everyone has a story. Rich or poor. Young or old. Popular or outcast.

There’s always more than meets the eye.

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On CNN.com, Bishop T.D. Jakes gives his take on the issue of politics, church, and race.

This is a very timely piece considering the effect Barack Obama’s pastor has had on his campaign.  In the midst of Jakes words, I thought there were some insightful takeaways related to church.

“It is a breathing, living testament to God’s love and grace. It serves its community where it is located and is aware of the needs and nuances of that community. However, its relevance and vision must go beyond its community and reach the world for which Christ died.”

“I personally wish the distinctions of the church by ethnicity would one day become an antiquated idea.”

“I am afraid that once again our churches will be victimized by stereotypical ideas and opinions that are based in whole or in part by the extreme and not the norm.”

“…the core message is not one that enrages, but one that encourages people to change and grow, and any other depiction is distorted and inaccurate.”

“Let’s get back to listening for leadership strategies from our best and brightest before there is no country left to lead. My hope is that the church remains a vibrant part of our process, sounding the alarm that warns: America, please wake up out of our sleep!“

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“Lord I Lift Your Name on High…”

That’s the song I sang at the first youth ministry gathering I led back in 2001. As I was struggling with the three chords it took to play the song- I had a room full of students with blank stares. It was obvious to me- I sucked at leading worship.  I was that cheesy guy leading worship that I usually made fun of.

I come from a family of guitar players but somehow the music gene skipped me- although the desire didn’t. I do enjoy making sounds on my acoustic like a baby likes a rattle. The only difference- it’s cute when the baby rattles- it’s ugly when I shake, rattle, and roll on the gee-tar.

I thought all youth pastors had to lead worship. So week by week I would spent hours practicing songs. All the while I’m tying myself up in knots because I was neglecting the message as well.   I was feeling like a failure because my lack of ability to lead worship was now affecting the impact of my teaching.

Fortunately for me, I had a bunch of musicians in the youth group- so out of desperation- I asked one of them to lead. And he rocked. Blank stares were replaced with facial expressions. Which is remarkable for a bunch of teenagers. Rather than me getting stressed out about music before each meeting, I was now focused on the message and connecting with the young people in the group. I was free to do what I do best. All because I let go of something I wasn’t very good at.

To this day, that’s become a significant lesson for me. I’m not going to build my weaknesses up to the point of mediocrity while ignoring my strengths to the point of mediocrity. If I do, then I’m good at nothing.

What about you? What do you need to let go of to be more effective?

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