No More Fishing for You!

It's been a while since I have gone fishing. Granted, I was never Mr. Bassmaster but my dad took me fishing as a kid. In my teenage years, I had a pond in my front yard. Fishing was always relaxing for me and I kind of miss it. The only part that I didn't like about fishing was removing the hook. I usually just stood there with my Transformers fishing rod, watching my one pound fish dance his little fin off, waiting for my dad to take the line, and carefully take the hook out of the fish's mouth. There was just something about reaching out, grabbing the fish, and ripping the hook out of Nemo's mouth that didn't appeal to me.

Oddly enough, Jesus referred to His followers as fishers of men. The idea is that just as a fisherman gives his life to catching fish, we have the mission to pursue and lead people into a loving relationship with Jesus. In the last few years, I have purposefully spent a lot less time with other fishermen and a lot more time with other fish. As a result, I have developed a love for the one thing I always hated about fishing: removing the hook.

All around me are wounded fish. At some point each one swam near the action and investigated the bait. A little nibble here. A little nibble there. Gulp! They took a bite of what they hoped was Truth. Instead, they got a mouth full of hooks...and lies. They were hooked into thinking because they had an abortion, they were going to hell. Because they were divorced, they could never be valuable in ministry. Because they experienced an affair, they would always wear that label. Because they were angry with God, He was going to punish them. Because they were sprinkled, their baptism was a sin. Because they were an addict, they could not be a follower of Jesus. Because they were a victim of disease, there must be something wrong with their faith. Because they prayed a lot, they were supposed to be rich! All hooks! All lies!

What used to gross me out and make me dread going fishing, is now a great source of joy for me. Removing the hooks in wounded hearts and letting fish swim freely in the grace of God is more fun than I could ever imagine. So if you want to fish, fine. Come near the water, offer Truth to fish and see what God does. But if you're going to recklessly bait your hook with opinions, traditions, and lies, then I'm posting a new sign by the lake: NO MORE FISHING FOR YOU!

I pray today I have the chance to let one more off the hook. There's nothing like it.

Taxi Faith

Last week, I spent a few days in Chi-Town. Maybe the best part of the trip was not the view from the top of the Hancock building. Nor was it the big city lights, the opportunity to enjoy a conference headlined by Don Miller (author of among others, "Blue Like Jazz."), or even attending the Bulls first game of the season. It was my encounter with a taxi cab driver, whose name I can not pronounce, much less write.

After watching the Bulls defeat the Spurs, I took a cab from the United Center back to the hotel. During that 10 minute ride, I texted back and forth with friends from back home. Upon arriving at the hotel, I paid the driver and got out of the taxi. Two seconds later I realized my phone was still taking a cab ride around the Windy City. I think I screamed "Poop!" to the top of my lungs and stood there feeling stupid beyond belief. I borrowed someone else's phone and called my phone hoping to leave a message persuasive enough to make any would-be thief reform his/her ways.

Two minutes later a cab came to a screeching halt in front of the hotel (where I was still standing with that stupid beyond belief look on my face). The window rolled down and a not-that-familiar face said, "You lose you phone?" I emptied my wallet and gave the driver all I had. He smiled and said, "Have good night."

Mr. I Can't Pronounce His Name went out of his way to make my day! The way I see it, there is convenient faith and then there is taxi faith. Maybe it's not a big deal to you, but it is to me. And so let the Taxi Faith revolution begin!

Four is Enough?

My two children have made it absolutely clear that our family of 4 is big enough! No more! Then..."little man" came for a visit last night. Some friends of ours have taken a trip and we agreed to take care of their little guy. So last night he arrived. He slept great woke up with a smile. The five of us spent about an hour playing with baby toys and feeding him sliced bananas.

When it was time for school, my two reluctantly got in the car with me. On the way to school, I said, "Are you guys still sure you don't want any additions to our family?" Their response? You guessed it. Both of them referenced a newfound love of babies and would like another. Over the next 5 nights and after the next 1,081 diapers, we'll see if they feel the same.

Stay tuned...

Yes I Can Read!

To the surprise of many of my friends, yes, I can read. While it is true that I prefer watching football and movies, and listening to music, I do discipline myself to read on occasion. After Sunday's message, a good friend asked me if I had read "This Present Darkness." Yes, I've read it. It was one of the only fiction books I've ever enjoyed. So, without further rambling, here is my list of 13 books you MUST read before you die:

1) The Book of Joshua...yes, the one in the Bible

2) The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning

3) Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller

4) Soul Cravings by Erwin McManus

5) Crazy Love by Francis Chan

6) Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell

7) The Barbarian Way by Erwin McManus

8) Wild at Heart by John Eldredge

9) Visioneering by Andy Stanley

10) The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

11) The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren

12) Now, Discover Your Strengths, by Marcus Buckingham

13) Mad Church Disease, by Anne Jackson

Looks like a trip to www.amazon.com is in your near future!

Sincerely,

"Book-Worm"

Jesus and Imagination

This past weekend was what my church calls Operation Serve. Over 1,000 of us hit the streets of our city and served. We built stuff, baked stuff, painted stuff, trashed stuff, sold stuff, bought stuff, replaced stuff, planted stuff, and made a difference in our little corner of the world. The only thing that was missing for many of the volunteers was the opportunity to see how our service was received. Some did. But most of us worked all weekend and could only imagine the smiles we were able to bring to peoples' faces. Made me think about Jesus (imagine that!).

As He was being tried, convicted, and ultimately executed, I believe Jesus knew that one day a guy like me would be forever grateful. I believe He knew that churches like the one I call home would come together and serve their community in the name of remembering Him. I believe that He knew someone like you may choose to follow Him. But we weren't there. In fact, from what I read in the Bible, it seems very few people were there to say, "Thanks. I will never be the same." As He served us, most everyone there was indifferent or cheered on His executioners.

I wonder if in His last moments, Jesus fought to imagine the humble smiles on the faces of those who would one day receive His act of service and say, "Thank you." Maybe He just fought to imagine the affirming look of His Father in Heaven saying again, "Well done." I'm not sure.

What I am sure of is the next time I have the privilege of serving people who are not there to say, "Thanks," I will fight to imagine the looks of gratitude they will soon display as they see what I've done for them. And more importantly, I will fight to imaging the affirming look of my Father in Heaven saying to me, "Well done." I know I don't always make God proud so I'm going to cherish that thought.

Jesus said He did not come to be served but to serve! What a great idea. Imagine that!

This is Me Every 2 Hours

Church, Metal, and Benadryl

What a great week it's been. Busy but great. The church I'm a part of went to 3 services on Sunday and it was a rush! Only 30 minutes between services so there was very little down time. That same day, I attended a baby dedication that and performed a wedding. Somewhere in between I found time to watch football...and I mean a lot of it! Thank goodness for my DVR and for friends who love me enough to NOT tell me who won the game until after I can get home and watch it.

Monday was a bucket list day. Saw the masters of metal live...finally! Metallica put on a great show at the Sommet Center in Nashville. I can't express how much I enjoyed watching those dudes rock. Hey Metallica! If you're reading this, call me. I can be your tour chaplain next time around!

A combo of allergy junk and staying up all night Monday did a number on me. Took a little medicine on Tuesday. BAD IDEA. Felt worse.

In between watching football and blowing my nose, I've had some time to reflect on the week. The sense of anticipation I had as Metallica prepared to take the stage was staggering. I was so jacked up to see these guys perform. It made me wonder where my sense of anticipation is as I get ready to pray each morning. Then last night the small group that meets in my home started talking about that same thing. Anticipation. Awe. Wonder. Humility. Silence.

Seeing the true Master of the Universe, the Creator of Music and Art, and Redeemer of my life, face to face as I prayed this morning took on a new meaning. In fact, I'm pretty stoked about spending time with Him again. Yes, I know God is always with me and I can pray anytime and all the time. But for me, I know what God wants. He wants me to carve out some time to see Him each day. He wants me to be as excited about seeing Him as I was to see my metal heroes on Monday. He wants my worship.

Rock on and pray on!