Last night was our monthly worship night for Kingsfield Church.  I normally do the music for this, but because of the constant and eminent threat of baby, we subbed me out this month.  So I was back in the back listening to Aaron, one of our pastors, speak being distracted by the contractions my wife was having.  I was really trying to listen and pay attention, but when that is happening to your wife it is a little difficult to pay attention to everything else.  As Aaron was speaking he read a passage that I wanted to share with you.

It’s not very often I read Zechariah.  Did you know there was a book called Zechariah in the Old Testament?  Sure you did.  Well, in 4:6-7 it says,

‘You can’t force these things. They only come about through my Spirit,’ says God-of-the-Angel-Armies. ‘So, big mountain, who do you think you are? Next to Zerubbabel you’re nothing but a molehill.’

So, big mountain, who do you think you are?  That is a very good question to ask.  We all face problems and I know lots of people that are facing them right now.  In the midst of these problems we always feel like they are HUGE problems.  How can I go on with _______ in my way?  ________ is just too big too handle.  Whatever you fill in the blank with might seem like the most difficult thing to bear or that your whole world is coming to an end, but it’s not.  With the God-of-the-Angel-Armies on your side, the biggest things in the world have nothing on you!  The mountains are nothing.

With Him on your side, you can throw up one hand on the hip, the other making the sign for number one and zig zagging around, copping all the attitude you can muster and saying “mountain, puh-lease.”  I forget that a lot.  I have to be reminded by my failures to find my strength in Him and not me.  I have to be reminded that He is strong and I am less than weak.  With the God-of-the-Angel Armies on my side those mountains in my life don’t stand a chance.

What about you?  What mountains are standing in your way?  What mountain does God want to help you see that with Him it is nothing?  Thank Him today for being bigger than your issues.

There was an online conference yesterday put on by the Leadership Network called Aha!  I didn’t get to spend much time watching the conference because there was too much going on in my office, but I did get to hear most of one of the speakers (each speaker had a 6 minute video).  I don’t even know who the guy was, but what he said was really good.

Saul had taken the army out to fight the Philistines.  Enter the famous Goliath.  Now enter shepherd boy David.  He quickly gets fed up with Goliath’s crap and knowing that God is on his side decides to go out and fight Goliath.  As David is getting ready, Saul tries to get him to wear armor that belongs to and fits Saul.  The armor is far too big and bulky so David tells the king that he will go without (that and he has God on his side).  Then David proceeds to completely destroy a giant with a sling shot.

The point of the speaker yesterday was simply this.  Stop trying to fight in someone else’s armor.  It was made for them, not you.  It fits them.  It may provide some sort of brief comfort or protection, but you will quickly find out you are dead in the water that way.  I think David understood this.  He didn’t try to fight a very experienced and huge opponent someone else’s way.  He did it how he knew to do it.  He followed God’s calling on his life and not someone else’s.  This is massively important in ministry.  If God has called you into ministry, He has called YOU into ministry.

He hasn’t called me to be Billy Graham.

He hasn’t called me to be Chris Tomlin.

He has called me to be Brook James.

He has called you to be you!

I’m not supposed to be anyone other than me.  No matter what your role is in the church, you are there to do it as YOU!  This was something that took me a good while to learn.  I spent so much time trying to be what I thought everyone else wanted me to be, I wasn’t sure why I wasn’t fulfilling the calling God put on me.  Later I figured out that I was trying to fight my battles with someone else’s armor on and it didn’t fit!  I could fake it for a little while, but not for long.  Turns out the best way to minister is to do it as you.  The best way to lead is to lead as you.  God made you to be, lead, minister, love, etc. as you!

Are you leading as you?  Are you or someone else trying to get you to lead as someone else?  Maybe you are just doubting yourself.  Maybe you just can’t figure out why your ministry isn’t exactly like that person’s.  Just remember.  While there are always things to learn from other people and ministries, God calls you into YOUR role.  Do it as you.

As the clock is ever so slowly winding down to our due date, the waiting mode has gotten old quick.  I expected that it would.  I feel like I’m sitting there waiting for the red phone to ring.  All day long I keep checking my phone.

At work.

In the car.

At basketball.

All the time.

I am waiting (not so patiently) expectantly for this phone call saying it’s time.  I am waiting expectantly for my new baby to arrive.  Our lives should be the same.  We should be living our lives expecting that Jesus will return at any moment.  We don’t know when He will come, but we do know that it could be any day.  We should live our lives like it will be tomorrow.  Just as my life is consumed with the excitement, passion and joy of a firstborn on the way, we should be living in the same way with excitement, expectation of Godly greatness, joy, passion, contentment.

Last week my wisdom teeth were chopped out of my head.  Not the most fun I have had for sure, but it could be worse.  Well, the most common complication from the removal of wisdom teeth is dry socket.  That’s when some crap happens to cause the new hole in your head to be unprotected and heal slower.  Oh and there is pain involved.  Well, I was warned ahead of time by my now fellow wisdom teeth removal survivors that dry socket is something that I should do everything I can to avoid.  So, I did.  I didn’t spit.  I tried not to yawn, cough or sneeze.  I still haven’t used a straw.  I didn’t even brush my teeth for 4 days!  Ok, that’s a lie, but I brushed them VERY gently.

And guess what!

I got dry socket.  The bottom left side of my mouth is not agreeing with the other three surgery sites that healing is a good idea.  A few days after the surgery, this wonderful new friend of mine decided to check into Extended Stay Hotel Brook’s Mouth.  Good times.  Frustrated, annoyed and hurting I finally talked to the on call doctor on Friday night and got it as taken care of as possible.

Seriously?  I deprived myself of all those things I have enjoyed for so long (spitting, drinking from a straw, snoughing…you know…sneezing and coughing at the same time) and I still ended up with the evil phantom tooth?!  Well, it happened.  Now I have to deal with it and move on with my life.  But if nothing else (and I highly expect there is nothing else good to come from this) it made me think about some things in life from a different perspective.  We all have our goals, ideas and desires for our lives.  We take steps to reach them.  But sometimes we can do everything right and still end up in pain.

Maybe you have done all the preparation, get dressed up, have a great interview and still didn’t get the job.  Maybe you have conditioned, strengthened and practiced but the other team is still better.  Maybe you have poured yourself into your kids or a friend or a protégé and taught them well, but they still strayed from what they learned.  Life just doesn’t always go the way we planned it.  But in those times we have to learn perseverance, patience, and trust.  Whether you are in pain or just hurting watching someone else fall apart, you must have faith in God and trust that He knows what He is doing and is in control.  Our lives are not always measured by the successes that we see.  Sometimes the success is fighting and learning through the pain.  Sometimes the math just doesn’t add up to the intended goal, but relying on the FACT that God has a plan and knows what He is doing.  Find your success in Him and His understanding, not your own.

Everyone who is working in any church is doing so for one main reason.  We do so to see God made known through changed lives.  It all boils down to changed lives.  If God isn’t changing the lives of the people coming, then I would be willing to be we aren’t following His will in it.  That doesn’t mean that 500 people have to become brand new Christians each week (not counting that one person who always has a hand raised to receive Christ).  It could be just one person.  It could be a couple getting their marriage right.  Or maybe one kid seeing the role model that he doesn’t get at home.  However it is taking place, changed lives are what we hope for.

But is seems to me that sometimes we get caught up in the methods of what we think changed lives look like.  It only happens when someone walks down the aisle or when every head is bowed and every eye closed and someone raises their hand or when the salvation prayer is repeated back out loud.  Right?  Well, it seems to me that those are just methods that we have stamped on to the changing of lives.  I don’t ever remember Jesus asking everyone in the room to close their eyes and then if someone wanted to make a decision that they had to make eye contact or raise their hand.  According to John, it doesn’t take any of that.

“It’s urgent that you listen carefully to this: Anyone here who believes what I am saying right now and aligns himself with the Father, who has in fact put me in charge, has at this very moment the real, lasting life and is no longer condemned to be an outsider. This person has taken a giant step from the world of the dead to the world of the living.

John 5:24

All it takes is believing in Him.  A person doesn’t have to stand up and say the words “I believe”.  They don’t have to go down to the front, be anointed with oil and then transfer their membership/transfer papers/letter of intent/resume to be a member of the church.  They just have to believe in the truth of Jesus Christ and put Him in charge.  Doesn’t mean the other things are wrong.  They may be great for each individual church as it may take more commitment or faith or belief or whatever for someone to make that kind of a bold statement.  But all they have to do is believe!  The rest is all well and good, but regardless of what each church’s process is, changed lives happen in the heart and start with believing.

So as you go about your week or your weekend, remember that all it may take is just showing someone the truth of God’s love for us to really change a life.  Maybe you need to change your direction back toward God again.  All you have to do is believe in Him and His truths.  He is there for you.  You don’t have to wait until the next time you are asked a specific question during the invitation time on Sunday that tugs at the heart.  Believe in Him.  He changes lives.

If you watched TV at any point from 1983 – 1994 you have been blessed.  No, I don’t mean because of Transformers, Smurfs and Thundercats.  While those were equally blessing they are not the subject today.  There was one place in particular that was really a bright star.  PBS.  PBS had some wonderfully educational programs, many of which were actually relatively entertaining to the young mind.  But if you had any artistic streak in you at all, you have seen this guy.  

He was known for his hair.

He was known for his work.

He was known for his sayings.

That’s right.  Bob Ross.  Mr. White Afro himself.

Mr. Happy Trees.  Mr. Happy Everything.

It didn’t take a very long pause on the PBS channel during one of his shows to get drawn in and hooked waiting to see how the painting would turn out…or how many times he would say “happy”.  Just recently, I was thinking about how I haven’t seen those shows on in a really long time and all of a sudden the other day, one happened to be on.  Needless to say I sat there and watched for the entire painting.  As I watched I realized that there are some really great things to learn from Bob Ross (outside of how to paint).  Here are 5 things every person and organization should learn from Bob Ross.

1. Attitude – Bob Ross had an amazing attitude.  Like I said before he was Mr. Happy Everything.  During one show he told a story about it.  ”I got a letter from somebody here a while back, and they said, ‘Bob, everything in your world seems to be happy.’ That’s for sure. That’s why I paint. It’s because I can create the kind of world that I want, and I can make this world as happy as I want it. Shoot, if you want bad stuff, watch the news.”  He understood that attitude is a decision and obviously he chose to have a happy one.  I have heard him say that you need dark to show the light.  How many times when things are going just perfect do we stop and think about how much we are not in control?  It is a very easy thing to overlook.  When those hard times hit our lives they show us how great the good times are and that we are not in control of them.
2. Hair – He was the king of the white afro.  That’s a big reason we loved him!  I mean seriously, who doesn’t love an awesome white ‘fro?!
3. Vision – Many people want to start something, but just stare at the blank canvas and don’t know where to start or where to go.  Ross was not that way.  He saw mountains, trees, lakes, snow, cabins, bushes, animals and more when he looked at the blank canvas.  He had vision for where he was going.  He didn’t have all the steps planned out, but he was never lacking for vision of what he was creating.  As the leaders of our families, churches and companies, we need vision.  We don’t need to have every single step laid out before us ahead of time, but we must have vision.  Proverbs 29:18 says, “Where there is no vision the people perish.”
4. Decisive – With any project it is far too simple to drag it out because you can’t make up your mind.  Maybe you just talk about solutions or problems but then don’t do anything about them.  Watch one show and you will see how decisive he is.  Should I put a lake here?  Yes.  Done.  He isn’t constantly measuring to make sure his happy trees are going to be best here or over there.  He gathers the information and makes a well educated decision.  I know I could learn from that.
5. Generosity – Ross gave.  He gave his time to teach those of us who are NOT painters.  He gave away his paintings to the PBS stations to help them out.  He gave his time to help animals as well.  He went above what was expected of him.  We should to the same.  We have been blessed.  We would live in a different place if we all generously gave more than the minimum.

Bob Ross was a very interested dude.  One that I would definitely love to have met.  Maybe one of these days I’ll get a Joy Of Painting video and learn how to make happy trees.  But until then, I guess I’ll just have to learn other things from Bob Ross.

I asked my wife what I should blog about for today and she told me to blog about how snuggly she is and how smelly the dog is.  So there you go.  She is snuggly and he is smelly.

You should go be a part of the prison ministry.  How about you lead a Life Group?  No?  You should give huge chunks of money to the church.  Or hold babies all weekend.  Or do setup and teardown.  Or whatever.  Doesn’t matter exactly what it is.  We all get told at church that we should do some of these things (if not all of  them).  But sometimes it is hard to get people to buy into some idea or philosophy.  It seems that no matter how hard we try, we just can’t get people into this ministry or do that or give above their tithing.  We can try so many things but we don’t stop to think they need to be led by example and not talk.  They need vision.  They need to be shown.

Forget them. They are blind men leading blind men. When a blind man leads a blind man, they both end up in the ditch.

Matthew 15:14

Without vision it’s just like the blind leading the blind. Why should they follow us if we can’t tell them why we are doing it or even worse if we aren’t doing it?  As leaders of any church or company, the people that are following us, whether by choice or by job, if we want to really lead them to the next level we have to be willing and taking part in whatever it is we are preaching to them.  If you aren’t willing to get your hands dirty and serve your community, why should they?  If you don’t get out of bed to help setup, why should they?  If you aren’t willing to build community, why should they?

If we challenge those looking to us for leadership to fast for a day, we need to lead the charge in fasting and not just tell them it’s a great idea and that they will grow closer to God.  Actions based purely on guilt trips will only make some one change for a bit.  A modeled lifestyle is something they will want to continue watching.

Think about your leadership roles this week.  Are you a blind leader leading blind people that don’t know where they are going?  Do you need to start leading in an area of ministry or work more than you have been?

In any given situation there is something to be learned.  If you are in a tough situation, maybe you are there to learn patience.  Maybe it’s humility.  Responsibility.  To be teachable.  How to lead.  Likewise even in the best situations there is still more to learn.  How to handle success.  Pride.  Humility.  And the list goes on.  But you must be open, looking and willing to learn from these situations.  Sometimes that means swallowing a ton of pride and being able to listen and learn from the little guys.

The volunteers, not just the staff members.

The assistants, not just the department heads.

The pastor with a smaller church, not just the mega churches.

The church in a different denomination, not just your little club.

The small blogger, not just the site with 100K hits per month.

Whoever it is and whatever position they are in or you are in, you have to be able to learn and stay teachable.  We are never done learning.  If we were done learning we would have it all figured out and be perfect.  I’m pretty sure that’s not gonna happen.  In the Scriptures John 9 gives us a good example not learning from the little guy.

The man replied, “This is amazing! You claim to know nothing about him, but the fact is, he opened my eyes! It’s well known that God isn’t at the beck and call of sinners, but listens carefully to anyone who lives in reverence and does his will. That someone opened the eyes of a man born blind has never been heard of—ever. If this man didn’t come from God, he wouldn’t be able to do anything.” They said, “You’re nothing but dirt! How dare you take that tone with us!”

John 9:30-34

This man was blind and didn’t have all the religious training and knowledge that the Pharisees had, but he was healed by Jesus and now had something to share with the rest of the world.  The Pharisees chose to ignore the supernatural healing and love Jesus had for this man and they were not open to learn from him.  He was a nobody.  How could he teach them?  They were so much better than him!

Truth is he was willing to learn and they weren’t.  He had an open and available heart.  They did not.  Examine yours today.  Are you open to learning from the “little guy”?

I am one of the world’s best procrastinators.  Well, I used to be.  I’m not as bad anymore.There are always things going on in our lives that are important.

What new iPhone apps do I need?

I have to call him back right now!

I’m really tired.

Every day we find things that are so important that we can’t put them off until later.  But then we put off the truly important things for another time.

I read a little of the Bible the other day, I’ll do it again soon.

My neighbor doesn’t know Jesus, but I’ll see him this weekend.

I know You asked me to do this, Jesus, but 24 is on tonight.  What’s that?  Oh, you meant do it tomorrow.

It’s really easy!  We do it all the time (except for the obvious 24 because we all know that God loves 24 and I would be willing to bet that’s what God watched on Day 7 of creation).  We make it our lives to occupy our time and waste it all away.  There is nothing wrong with a new iPhone app.  There is nothing wrong with sleeping.  It’s true.  But if we are neglecting the calling on our lives to glorify God, then we are just a bunch of losers.

Jesus said to another, “Follow me.” 
He said, “Certainly, but first excuse me for a couple of days, please. I have to make arrangements for my father’s funeral.” Jesus refused. “First things first. Your business is life, not death. And life is urgent: Announce God’s kingdom!” Then another said, “I’m ready to follow you, Master, but first excuse me while I get things straightened out at home.”

Jesus said, “No procrastination. No backward looks. You can’t put God’s kingdom off till tomorrow. Seize the day.”

Luke 9:59-62

Stop procrastinating.  Stop looking behind you to see what you missed.  Seize the day!  So often it seems that we are just like this guy Jesus was talking to.  Something in our lives happened and when Jesus calls us to follow Him we are content to tell Him just a minute and finish updating our Facebook status.  Hang on, Jesus.  I’ll be there in a minute….or tomorrow…or next month when our bank account feels better.

I don’t want to live my life that way.  I want to live without procrastination.  I want to live with life as my business, not death.  I want to seize whatever it is that Christ has for me.  That’s my prayer.  And today I’m praying that for you, too!  No more putting off God until next time!

As I have been reading through my YouVersion daily reading plan of the Gospels with my wife, I have been reminded of so many things.  Jesus really was amazing.  He was revolutionary.  Crowds followed Him everywhere.  12 guys got backstage passes.  Really cool stuff.  But the one thing that has been hitting me the most this week is that those 12 disciples who were chosen by Jesus Christ Himself to be the early leaders of the church were NOT perfect.  Really, a lot of the time they were quite ridiculous.

• They freaked out when someone else was preaching in Jesus name.  (Is that ok, Jesus?  Are you sure?  Because I’m pretty sure they were Methodists.)

• They had the Savior of the world on their boat and almost completely fell apart because they thought they were gonna die.  (Ummm…Jesus?  You might wanna wake up because the waves are really big.  What?  No!  It’s not time for surfing!  We are drowning!)

• They saw miracle after miracle, but as soon as He told them to gather up food for the 5,o00+ they doubted again.  (Seriously?  They don’t want Long John Silvers.  No one really eats that.)

But I think my favorite so far has been from Luke 9.

They came to a Samaritan village to make arrangements for his hospitality. But when the Samaritans learned that his destination was Jerusalem, they refused hospitality. When the disciples James and John learned of it, they said, “Master, do you want us to call a bolt of lightning down out of the sky and incinerate them?” Jesus turned on them: “Of course not!”

Luke 9:52-55 (emphasis added)

Ha!  I image that Jesus giggled a little to Himself there.  Probably one of those wow-you-are-an-idiot-but-I-don’t-want-to-laugh-in-your-face-so-I-will-cough-and-clear-my-throat type giggles (or guttoral utterances if you prefer the more rugged manly version of Jesus).  Seriously?  Have you not caught on to what He is doing?  You love those that need love.  No bolts of lightning, James and John.  No chopping off ears, Peter.

They weren’t perfect.  I love that!  Because I’m not perfect.  And still they were used to change the course of history!  How amazing is it to know that the God that thought you up and loves you more than you can EVER know can use you even with all our faults, failures, immaturities, and lack of faith?!  So rest in the fact that God has a plan for you.  And even though you have screwed up and will again, He still loves you and wants to use you.

Yes, even despite that time you were pregnant and in a fit of road rage tried to summon a bolt of lightning down to incinerate the car next to you that probably really didn’t do much to you.