The Insomnia Chronicles

unstoppable WORD.

I was reading in 2 Kings yesterday (part of YouVersion daily read on my iPhone) - it was the story of Josiah in chapters 22 & 23. A couple things jumped out to me...

• There's NO excuse. Unlike his Father or his Grandfather, Josiah "did what was right in the eyes of the Lord" - despite becoming King at age 8. He deliberately chose the a much harder path and refused to be normal. It says he "walked in all the ways of his father David". This means he had to dig 13 generations to find a role model - now, that's determination!!  The truth: you can't blame your parents or grandparents for your behavior or sin.

• The Word of God is so powerful! Josiah did not even know the Word existed - the godless & wicked culture of his day (and those before him) had attempted to bury & destroy the Truth. They replaced it with immorality, greed and the worship of idols. But this didn't work... As the Bible of Josiah’s day rose from the heap of rubble, so, too, the attempts of so-called "higher critics" and skeptics to "bury" the Bible with their doubts and criticisms have come to failure. Josiah heard it and immediately knew it was God's Word and he changed everything in his life & influence in order to follow it.

Don't Call it a Comeback.

Miss me?  Ha!

I apologize for my poor showing here in the blogosphere - especially for you "Insomniacs"!!  I went away for a few days and left the Macbook Pro at home...  and I survived without it!!  It was really good to get out of town and relax.  Sometimes we don't recognize the affect of stress and routine until we break free from it. Then we look back and think, "whoa, that was rough...  I gotta figure out how to keep that from happening again" -- been there? 

Don't get me wrong, I embrace the mantle of leadership & discipleship that God has called me to live. I understand that there is a price... but I occasionally get distracted by the things that seem important but are not mine to handle.  I have a great team that loves me and desire to be a blessing, but there are times that even they try to help carry "my burden"... unsuccessfully.  Ultimately, you can't take from me what God has asked me to carry. 

"Do not free a camel of the burden of his hump;
you may be freeing him from being a camel." 

G.K. Chesterton

I'm still in the process of figuring it out.  A noble undertaking indeed...

• what percentage of your life is 'stressful'?
• do you know what God has called you to carry?
• do you know what God has told you to lay down?
• how do you 'unwind'?
• do you delegate?

... more on this later,  Chilly

It's never about the Tortoise.

What motivates you to serve?  Is it Love?  Guilt?  Bribe?  Reward?  Compassion?  Attention?  Sometimes it feels like I have to be a motivational speaker in order to get the best out of others, including my team (and my team is amazing)... I guess it's really easy to be like the fast little bunny in "The Tortoise and the Hare"... we get ahead and chill - forgetting that we're trying to win a race, not stay ahead of a turtle.

"My counsel is this: Live freely, animated and motivated by God's Spirit. Then you won't feed the compulsions of selfishness. For there is a root of sinful self-interest in us that is at odds with a free spirit, just as the free spirit is incompatible with selfishness" Galatians 5:16-17.

Our motivation has to be WINNING
...not just competing. 

CATALYST Conference

Today there's mourning in the motorcity...

Yes, it's true, I was passed over, yet again, as a speaker for this fall's Catalyst Conference.  This thoughtless decision has flooded my heart with shock & disappointment. I'm not sure how I will recover from the deep wound caused by such a TRAGIC & heartless omission.  Like an actor waiting for the Oscar nomination, I've stared at my phone, pleading with it to ring, "please tell me I'm IN"... and then, without warning they post their speakers on the web.  I didn't even receive a consolidatory call to help bring me down gently.  I'm OUT.

I thought I had done all the necessary things:

• kissed all the important bottoms,
• purchased black rectangular glasses,
• left 'cool' comments on all the Catalyst speakers blogs,
• added a '.tv' to my web address,
• subscribed to Relevant Magazine & Catalyst podcast,
• bribed all the influential leaders,
• read all the KEY books (of the Catalyst Who's Who),
• got blond highlights,
• and personally stalked John Maxwell at his Injoy headquarters.

And after all that...

I'm not at the conference... and, I'm ok.

What has happened with "the church"??

On one side everyone's chasing after a John Maxwell "principal", a Rick Warren "purpose", or a Joel Osteen "potential" - you know, somehow with the right leadership model you can grow a huge church.  Then,  on the otherside, there's this overwhelming desperation and panic, trying to save "christianity" and "the church"... stressin' about who's struggling, who's broke, or who's failed (in one way or another).

Both of these groups travel in packs like wolves - the first group like fat, blood-thirsty man-eater bullies - the second group are like wolves with exposed ribcages; starving, would-eat-their-own leg, beggars.  Make no mistake, both can be dangerous.

Somehow we think another book, a new slogan,  a $500 conference, 10 new blog friends, or a new worship CD - or something else, will save the day & rescue or revolutionize the church.

But what's not being talked about is:

    * Who's church it really is.
    * The power of prayer.
    * The absolute truth of God's Word.
    * Denying yourself and serving.
    * Genuine love.
    * The mission of the Gospel.
    * Discipleship.
    * Sacrifice.
    * Real relationships.
    * Carrying the Cross

                -- you get the picture.

Put down that new book (for now) and reRead Acts (and then, keep going - in either direction).  There IS hope for the church - His name is Jesus.  And, He lets us ride on His church bus every Sunday... and so on.  We don't need a new plan, a new slogan, a new building, or a new song - we need to Glorify God and Enjoy Him Forever!

Start today with every big or little thing that you have to do and ask yourself, "How can I glorify God RIGHT NOW in this situation/opportunity" and then smile and do it - trust me, He'll lead you in righteousness for His Name's sake.

You are the temple of the Holy Spirit... so am I...  it's US!  And I think this church is going to be alright!

standing on my knees, chilly

vision ... like riding a bike.

Last week, I treated myself to an early birthday present...  a Schwinn Cruiser (bike).  Nothing too fancy or expensive, in fact it was yet another eBay purchase.

I don't need a 21 speed all-terrain mountain bike - no way, all I need is just 7 speeds of fun and a new way to travel through my community.  It's interesting how you can gain a whole new perspective to something familiar simply by changing the view or route.  I think we need to do this from time to time so that we don't get confused with what we think we see and what's actually there - does this make any sense?

Put your hope in the Lord.
      Travel steadily along his path.
   He will honor you by giving you the land.
      You will see the wicked destroyed.
                    Psalm 37:34

Time to peddle over the enemy...

cruisin',
Chilly

lose something??

When wealth is lost, nothing is lost;

when health is lost, something is lost;

when character is lost, all is lost.

                                    ~ billy graham

2 cents worth...

my comments regarding the vote - as posted at: FutureAG ...

I'm not surprised by the elections of Wood and Garrison. However, I am optimistic and excited by the outcome. This very blogsite predicted that these two men would emerge as our leadership. And, they did.

Like it or not: God's will was done. And, if you don't like it, look back - this probably isn't the first time God's Will contradicted your will.

Those leading our fellowship have a heavy mantle and great responsibility. We shouldn't pretend to act like we understand such an anointing or calling. We should, however, pray for them more than ever.

Fight against complaining or allowing your flesh to produce prideful assumptions. Serve the leadership with humility and integrity.

And, continue to be forward-thinking, progressive, hopeful, joyful leaders. Springfield does not determine or hinder my relevance. The church God has called me to pastor will continue to take risks, reach the lost, impact our culture and strive to be REAL. I'm proud to be an ordained pastor in the Assemblies of God.

I may not have voted for the men that have been elected, that's ok... I may not vote for the next president elected in the USA. But, regardless I will remain a US Citizen and strive to make my nation better.

BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN OTHERS. Start today.

God bless the Assemblies of God,
Chilly

the honor was all mine...

Tonight, I sat in awe as perhaps the greatest living missionary alive in the world today ministered at War Week!  His name is Loren Cunningham and he is the founder of Youth With A Mission (YWAM), an ever-expanding global "family of ministries," born in 1960, which has reached into every nation.

Loren is also Co-founder and President of the University of the Nations (U of N), YWAM's global university. Since its inception in 1978, the U of N has grown to offer more than 800 courses and seminars (125 different courses/seminars).

Loren has personally gone to EVERY sovereign nation on earth (yes, you read that correctly, he's been to every nation in the world!), all dependent countries, and more than 150 territories and islands, for the sake of the Gospel. This has given him valuable insights into global trends and uniquely prepares him to share God's strategies for world evangelism. His wisdom, experience, leadership understanding and call to build bridges of unity within the body of Christ have caused him to be sought out by leaders of nations and organizations worldwide. He speaks publicly in 30 to 40 nations a year, and has spoken to live audiences from a few to more than a million people gathered in one location.

After the service tonight, he signed copies of all of his books for me and then he, Netta and me, and the Dilenas & Andres (war week steering committee) all went to Greektown and ate and shared together until 2:30am.  So, amazing!  I am so blessed with friendships/relationships that ONLY by grace am I afforded. 

Earlier in the evening, during the service, 200-300 students & adults, stood committing themselves as missionaries.  Oh, and prior to the service, 11 block parties took place simultaneously in Hamtramk & Highland Park - with MANY or our "neighbors" accepting Christ!!  Woo-hoo!

This has been the best War Week yet!  Praise God!!  Why not join us next year? Mark your calendar for July 29-Aug 1, 2008!  Also, be sure to check out the War Week site for upcoming pictures & videos.

ok, now I can finally get some rest (for a few hours at least) - then, back to war!
peace, Chilly

before you vote...

I challenge all considering the upcoming AG elections to consider this thought:

The authority by which the Christian leader leads is not power but love, not force but example, not coercion but reasoned persuasion. Leaders have power, but power is safe only in the hands of those who humble themselves to serve. John Stott

... this is a good thing for all of us "leaders" (at any level) to keep in mind & apply to our lives.