Don’t be fooled by simplicity of that question.  Like most simple things, it pierces through all the B.S. and gets to the heart of the matter.  And in today’s environment, that’s exactly what we need.

At times we can get so busy juggling everything that we forget why we’re juggling in the first place.  However, when we can answer the why question, we can then assess whether our lives are moving in the direction it should.

Here are some of the questions I’m wrestling with this week.  Maybe they can help you too.

Why don’t I say what’s on my mind more?

Why do I have this morning routine?

Why do I work?

Why do I watch those television shows?

Why should I keep pursuing my wife?

Why do I deal with stress that way?

Why do I blog?

Why do I Twitter and Facebook?

Why is it important that I be a good daddy?

Why did we start Project Church?

Why don’t I pursue that dream?

Why am I bitter about that one issue?

Why do I avoid that person?

Why do I pray?

Why don’t I pray?

Why do I spend my money on that instead of on this?

Why do I drink coffee?

Why…?

Imagine going about your daily work when all of a sudden something remarkable happens: You encounter God.

That’s exactly what happens to Moses.

When he saw the burning bush wasn’t actually burning he thought that was so strange and went to investigate the phenomenon. What started out as an innocent inquiry turned into a calling on his life, a life mission, and a conversation with the Creator of the universe. Not a bad day.

As though a talking burning bush wasn’t enough, God made sure Moses knew it was really him. He told him to take off his shoes because the ground was holy. He identified himself as the God of Moses’ ancestors. At this time, much like today, people have all kinds of views of God. But here we see that God was making it very clear who he is. And the dialogue between God and Moses began with a call of “Moses! Moses!” The response of Moses was simple, “Here I am.”

What God is calling Moses to is an adventure that has impacted humanity for generations. But when God gives Moses the “go” command Moses hesitates and replies, “Who am I?” God’s response is the same response he gives to us, “I will be with you.” And again, God repeats the “go” command to Moses and gives him a mission and direction.

The mission God is calling Moses to is impossible unless God is truly with him. It’s not as if Moses is well thought of by the Hebrew people. He has just as much of a chance getting an audience with the Pharaoh of Egypt as we do with the President of the United States. On top of that, God promises Moses that he will do wonders among them and that he will actually change Pharaoh’s heart. Will Moses trust in God’s promises? Does Moses believe that God is sovereign enough to do the things he said he would do?

What’s at stake if Moses doesn’t obey?

The entire Hebrew nation.

The same nation in which Jesus would later rise from to bring salvation to his people. Who knew? Certainly not Moses. But God had written this plan in eternity and Moses was about to fulfill his destiny.

Like Moses, you and I have a call on our lives. Like Moses, we likely have self-doubt and more questions than answers. Like Moses, we will fail unless God shows up. Like Moses, we must answer the question, “Do we trust God?”

What is God calling you to?

Is it a call to change careers?
Is it a call to stay at home with your children?
Is it a call to invest in the life of a neighbor?
Is it a call to tell your story?
Is it a call to go where no one else will go?
Is it a call to stop wasting your life?
Is it a call to simply smile more?
Is it a call to be a part of something bigger than yourself?
Is it a call to follow Jesus?

Often our response to a call from God is the same as Moses. “Who am I?”
Moses knew his limitations and we know ours. We all fall short- you, me, and Moses.

The good news is that it’s not about who we are, it’s about who God is. God loves to use the unlikely to do remarkable things. If you’re like me, you feel like an unlikely. Somehow that makes us ideal candidates to be used by God- and that’s mind-blowing!

When God tells us, “Go…I am with you” we discover that our calling comes with a promise. We are not in this alone.

It wasn’t that long ago I had everything figured out. I had answers to everyone’s questions. I had my life all planned out. My faith fit nicely tucked away in my shirt pocket. I wasn’t caught off-guard by much because I was in control and on a roll.

Then God totally messed me up!

Now, I don’t have much figured out. I thought I had all the answers, but then the questions changed. Apparently my little life plans were way too small compared to God’s plans. And my faith? Well, it’s grown and can no longer be tucked away in its place. It’s exploded and I’m covered in it. And it seems something new catches me off-guard daily- and you know what? I kind of like it.

I’m unlearning and rediscovering. I’m jumping off cliffs and realizing that the ground I once stood on wasn’t that secure to begin with. I’ve stopped centering my life around me and have found freedom in the process.

This is the road to the life I’m meant to live and I love it.

Traditionally, churches have either been silent about sex or painted it in a bad light. But the truth is it’s really something wonderful that God’s given us.  Think about it, God didn’t have to make sex feel good.  He could have set up procreation without pleasure, but that’s not the kind of God we have.

Why is sex such a big deal?

Sex becomes an issue the same way everything in life becomes an issue.  When we turn a good thing into an ultimate thing (worship) which then makes it a bad thing.  We do this with sex, people, stuff, you name it.  Worship Christ; enjoy sex.

The fact of the matter is this: God created sex, made it good, and we need to embrace his gift to us and reject any notion that it’s somehow dirty.

Religion may say sex is dirty, but God says it’s good.  God is always better than religion.

How cool is it that included in the very Word of God is a book of beautiful, erotic poetry?  The entire book of Song of Solomon is this amazing picture of a newly married couple enjoying their sexuality and intimacy with one another. In it you’ll find everything from strip teases, to foreplay, to oral sex, to lovemaking- all to celebrate their oneness.

God gives us freedom to be passionate lovers, to do all kinds of kinky stuff, to be free with our body, while always seeking oneness in marriage.

It all goes back to the original design.

Man and Wife…Becoming One Flesh…Naked and Unashamed

Sex in marriage is the closest thing to naked and unashamed in Garden that we will experience in this lifetime.

If you’re married, chances are your sex life is too infrequent. Even in our sex-crazed culture, it’s an issue.  Isn’t interesting that the enemy will do everything he can to get you to have sex before you married and then once you’re married, do everything he can to keep you from having sex.  That should tell us something.  Yes, we’re supposed to wait until we’re married.  But once we’re married, we make up for lost time.

Married people are to have lots and lots of sex.  In fact, the only exception is a mutual exception so we can pray (spend some time alone with God).

So if you’re married, let me ask you a question: What’s keeping you from having frequent business time?

Too busy? Schedule a date night, enjoy spontaneous quickies but plan for some extended time
Lack energy? Work out and/or just do it anyway.
Kids? Set boundaries (bedtimes), use creativity (afternoon delights).
Fighting? Communicate. Reconcile. Make up sex is the best!
Stress? Finances (budget, spend less, make more), Work (change jobs if necessary)
Health? Do what you can to take care of one another

If you commit to having more frequent encounters, you will find that it actually reduces stress, decreases fighting and tension, strengthens your bond, and can even be a pretty fun workout.  Just make sure you stretch out first so you don’t pull a hamstring.

The best sex is when each partner is seeking to fulfill the others sexual needs with selfless abandon.  It’s the most amazing masterpiece in all of creation. We have freedom in our marriages to use our imaginations. To experiment and try new things.

Again, it all goes back to the original design.

Man and Wife…Becoming One Flesh…Naked and Unashamed

That’s the truth about Business Time.

Following Jesus around like he’s God or something.

You crazy missioneers.

Actually believing the Gospel can change lives.

You crazy missioneers.

Persevering despite the adversities, missteps, and criticism.

You crazy missioneers.

Knowing full well that what makes you likely is being unlikely.

You crazy missioneers.

Chasing dreams that used to belong to professionals.

You crazy missioneers.

Sitting in smoking sections, bars, and pews.

You crazy missioneers.

Changing stories by entering stories.

You crazy missioneers.

Walking in darkness yet guided by the light.

You crazy missioneers.

Slaying the dragon of religion with the gospel of grace.

You crazy missioneers.

Loving God, loving people, and backing it up.

You crazy missioneers.

Standing up for the people who can’t stand up for themselves.

You crazy missioneers.

Shaping the future by living for today.

You crazy missioneers.

Working on a better city and not just a better church.

You crazy missioneers.

Leading the mission not from up-top but from out-front.

You crazy missioneers.

You’d do this for free.

You crazy missioneers.

Seeing the web as the means- not the end.

You crazy missioneers.

Praying daily for your mission field.

You crazy missioneers.

Starting movements, not churches.

You crazy missioneers.

For to you, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

You crazy missioneers.

You’re pioneering a path by following Christ.

You crazy missioneers.

Jesus is your treasure, your joy, and your finish line.

You crazy missioneers.

Striving for one Church, under Jesus.

You crazy missioneers.

Asking more questions, providing less answers.

You crazy missioneers.

This is not a game.  This is real life.

You crazy missioneers.

Answering questions about the hope that you have.

You crazy missioneers.

Bringing good news and being good news.

You crazy missioneers.

Called by God, compelled by love, committed to truth.

You crazy missioneers.

Thank you for who you are and all you do!

We call these things regrets.

Regrets are a nagging mistress.  She pesters you, eats away at you, motivates you with guilt.

Dump your mistress.

You don’t have to live with her anymore.

There’s a better companion.

Her name is grace.  She forgives you, restores you, motivates you with love.

No, you don’t deserve her.

But she’s yours anyway.

Embrace grace.

She’s a much better companion to live with.

We get this from God. After all, He is in relationship with himself as Father, Son, and Spirit. When He created humanity, He designed us for relationships- with Him and one another. It’s in the fabric of our being.

This is why God calls us to essentially love Him and people. Love can only travel on relational highways. The very highway He constructed. Our challenge is to love like God does. Right where people are.

Of all the entry points into our community, this is the most significant. We encourage the people of our church to tether themselves to Jesus and go as far as He leads. To have friendships with people who are far from God yet be connected to those who are following Christ.

Because relationships are so important, we seek less churchy activities and more intentional relationship development. If anything, we are to equip the people to go through everyday life to build and develop genuine relationships. If Jesus can gain a seat at the table of doubters and explorers (Luke 15:2), then we need to follow the footsteps he left behind.

This may seem to be a given, and perhaps a bit elementary, but we are about intentional, genuine relationships. This is where the rubber meets the road in terms of following Jesus and being the Church Jesus had in mind.

What makes a word a swear word/cuss word/bad word?

I have some thoughts but first I want to hear from you.

What do you think?

Somewhat related is this Spongebob Squarepants episode called Sailor Mouth.  It’s hilarious.

We’ve had several people become Christians at our church recently and I want to create something that helps them take their next steps in following Jesus.  Something more than read your bible and join a small group.  That’s important, but I want to give something more practical beginning with, “What is the Gospel?”

I’ve got a decent start but need your help.

What are some things you think a brand-new follower of Jesus should know?

Leave a comment and let me know.

Thanks!

Being real is not easy. It requires admitting that we aren’t perfect. As a dude starting a church from scratch, I want to be real with God, other people, and myself. I also want to help lead other people to do the same. But if I’m a hypocritical, judgmental jerk, then guess what kind of community Project Church will be…

So let me say right here, right now- I’m not perfect. Not a shocker to those who know me. But here’s the thing, I don’t expect that the people who are (or will be) a part of Project Church be perfect either. In fact, if you’re one of those people who think you are-you’ll probably hate Project Church.

But for those who don’t have it all together, who know they fall short, but want to live the lives they were meant to live- Project Church is right up your alley. Because being real isn’t just about admitting you’re not perfect- it’s following the One who is.

Together.