For those of you who read what I write, you've probably realized at this point it is all the same anyways. Really it is. But that is because I hope that at some point, part of it hits us. Whether it is because it gets said in the right way, or we read it during a certain point of our lives, hopefully some day our hearts catch fire, get set ablaze, and we burn, burn, burn for something so much bigger than ourselves:
Last time I wrote, I talked about how we were created for amazing, amazing things. Really we have amazing potential to change this world in incredible ways. And it is one of my greatest hopes in life that we are running and striving towards that goal. I hope that God has placed on all of our hearts where we are running to and who we are becoming. I hope that we are crashing into people's lives and hearts and exploding into this world with the goal of becoming someone and helping the world heal.
But as much as it hurts to admit it, we do have limitations. We are so stubborn to think that we are going to do this as individuals. I don't know if it is because we are afraid to let other people see the crap in our life or we are so prideful to think that our mission is our own. But we all have strengths and weaknesses. I, as much as it sucks to say, can't find my way around worth anything. I don't know right from left, and I can't remember street names. This is a petty example, but we all have things like this in our lives.
I used to get frustrated at these things, but now I'm starting to believe that maybe, just maybe these limitations are one of the greatest gifts in all the world. Could it be that because of these limitations that we are forced to do this together? Could it be that if we really decide that we weren't created to walk alone, we would be better off? See, I think this system was put in place so that we would hold hands and walk together.
If we joined up and walked together we could radically transform the world we live in. If we walked side by side we could defy the limitations we face everyday, defy all odds, and explode into this world and change things for all eternity. Brothers and sisters, I desperately need you. I can't even make a dent in this world without you, and even IF I could.... I wouldn't want to. Will you please walk beside me? Will you please do this with me? I don't want to do this by myself, and I couldn't anyways. So thank the living God that he didn't create us so that we could.
May your heart catch fire and burn, burn, burn for something bigger than yourself.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Unplanned and Unexpected
Ministry in Arvada abounds:
Daniel Carter and I had a meeting on Sunday night about Middle School Ministry this year through Wyld Life. We decided to take a walk and plan out the year, when we came to a stark realization. No amount of planning or scheming will ever replace God's work. He is constantly saying, let's do this, let's do this. We are constantly saying, I've got this, I've got this. As we were walking we talked about how the greatest things in life were never planned or expected, but came when we allowed God to take over and bless our lives. And while we were walking, we came across Moore Middle School, which was neither planned nor expected. We walked the school and prayed for this year, for the kids, and for God's help.
Yesterday after praying, I got a phone call from a lady named JaneAnne. She said her and her husband were interested in helping, so Daniel and I went to meet with them this morning. They want to disciple kids, they want to disciple leaders, they want to donate money, lend their house, be a parent ambassador, make us meals, and on and on and on. This was neither planned nor expected.
This year we are dreaming big, and going big. It is our dream to do ministry to 150 kids this year. Doorways are being opened and big things are happening. We are going to be at Moore Middle School on Monday afternoons, we are going to have kickball on Monday afternoons, we are tutoring at CastleGate on Tuesday afternoons, we are going to be having Wyld Life club on Tuesday nights, bible study on Saturday mornings, going to football games on Friday nights, going to Oberon Middle School Fridays for lunch, having sports club at Oberon Middle on Mondays, going to North Arvada Middle school, running a club at North Arvada Middle, tutoring at North Arvada Middle, having meals at kids homes, going to kids games, and on and on and on. We have been training leaders at Colorado Christian University, and last night we had 25 leaders who signed up, and hopefully more tonight. Leaders are being discipled and growing in the lord one and one. Parents are coming to know the lord. Community is growing, and Arvada is thriving.
Sometimes my life rapidly falls apart. Sometimes everything goes wrong. But this changes everything. Everything else isn't important in comparison to kids knowing Christ. This is not about pride, this is not about glory, and this is not about competition. This is about every kid, everywhere, having the opportunity to know Christ. This is about dreaming big. This is about moving into the neighborhood, and this is about chasing after the heart of God. Big things are going to happen this year. So lets do this together. Lets live together, minister together, celebrate together, and chase after the hearts of the people we love.
Ministry abounds in Arvada.
Daniel Carter and I had a meeting on Sunday night about Middle School Ministry this year through Wyld Life. We decided to take a walk and plan out the year, when we came to a stark realization. No amount of planning or scheming will ever replace God's work. He is constantly saying, let's do this, let's do this. We are constantly saying, I've got this, I've got this. As we were walking we talked about how the greatest things in life were never planned or expected, but came when we allowed God to take over and bless our lives. And while we were walking, we came across Moore Middle School, which was neither planned nor expected. We walked the school and prayed for this year, for the kids, and for God's help.
Yesterday after praying, I got a phone call from a lady named JaneAnne. She said her and her husband were interested in helping, so Daniel and I went to meet with them this morning. They want to disciple kids, they want to disciple leaders, they want to donate money, lend their house, be a parent ambassador, make us meals, and on and on and on. This was neither planned nor expected.
This year we are dreaming big, and going big. It is our dream to do ministry to 150 kids this year. Doorways are being opened and big things are happening. We are going to be at Moore Middle School on Monday afternoons, we are going to have kickball on Monday afternoons, we are tutoring at CastleGate on Tuesday afternoons, we are going to be having Wyld Life club on Tuesday nights, bible study on Saturday mornings, going to football games on Friday nights, going to Oberon Middle School Fridays for lunch, having sports club at Oberon Middle on Mondays, going to North Arvada Middle school, running a club at North Arvada Middle, tutoring at North Arvada Middle, having meals at kids homes, going to kids games, and on and on and on. We have been training leaders at Colorado Christian University, and last night we had 25 leaders who signed up, and hopefully more tonight. Leaders are being discipled and growing in the lord one and one. Parents are coming to know the lord. Community is growing, and Arvada is thriving.
Sometimes my life rapidly falls apart. Sometimes everything goes wrong. But this changes everything. Everything else isn't important in comparison to kids knowing Christ. This is not about pride, this is not about glory, and this is not about competition. This is about every kid, everywhere, having the opportunity to know Christ. This is about dreaming big. This is about moving into the neighborhood, and this is about chasing after the heart of God. Big things are going to happen this year. So lets do this together. Lets live together, minister together, celebrate together, and chase after the hearts of the people we love.
Ministry abounds in Arvada.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
My Empire Capsized At Vanity's Cost
"Seize life! Eat bread with gusto, drink wine with a robust heart. Oh yes -- God takes pleasure in your pleasure! Dress festively every morning. Don't skimp on colors and scarves. Relish life with the spouse you love. Each and every day of your precarious life. Each day is God's gift. It's all you get in exchange for the hard work of staying alive. Make the most of each one! Whatever turns up, grab it and do it. And heartily! This is your last and only chance at it." -Ecclesiates 9:7-10 (Message Remix)
Seize life, because God finds joy in our joy. Seize life, because colors are better than black and white. Seize life, because there is nothing greater than love. Seize life, because adventures call your name. Seize life, because being bored sucks. Seize life, because you only get one. Seize life, because it's not about stopping something, it's about becoming someone. Seize life, because there is so much more than empty substances. Seize life, because the creator of the universe says so. Seize life, because laughter is better than boredom. Seize life, because you are forgiven for your mistakes. Seize life, because your heart aches to. Seize life, because video games just aren't enough. Seize life, because it isn't about money. Seize life, because I don't want to seize it alone. Seize life, because you were born to fly. Seize life, because you are in the midst of eternal romance. Seize life, because we can change eternity. Seize life, because why should the angels be the only ones having fun? Seize life, because you can. Seize life.
If we stack hands and do this together... who can stop us?
Seize life, because God finds joy in our joy. Seize life, because colors are better than black and white. Seize life, because there is nothing greater than love. Seize life, because adventures call your name. Seize life, because being bored sucks. Seize life, because you only get one. Seize life, because it's not about stopping something, it's about becoming someone. Seize life, because there is so much more than empty substances. Seize life, because the creator of the universe says so. Seize life, because laughter is better than boredom. Seize life, because you are forgiven for your mistakes. Seize life, because your heart aches to. Seize life, because video games just aren't enough. Seize life, because it isn't about money. Seize life, because I don't want to seize it alone. Seize life, because you were born to fly. Seize life, because you are in the midst of eternal romance. Seize life, because we can change eternity. Seize life, because why should the angels be the only ones having fun? Seize life, because you can. Seize life.
If we stack hands and do this together... who can stop us?
Saturday, August 23, 2008
The Human Potential
The Olympics are pretty much the coolest thing in the world. And while I hate to admit it, it is easy for me to sit in front of my TV for hours on end watching these athletes do incredible things. How incredible is it that they can do some of these things? Usain Bolt is the fastest man alive... ever. Micheal Phelps won 8 gold metals, and was the only person in the history of the world to pull it off. There are Gymnastics, Diving, Running, Swimming, Fencing, and a lot of other crazy things that I've never heard of. And we sit here and we watch, and something inside of us is set ablaze when we get to see the amazing things that they do.
I think it is absolute crap to believe that we are any different. The human potential is incredible. I have spent a lot of my life afraid of my potential. Because if I don't try as hard as I can, then people will still say, oh yeah Sean is good at this, he just doesn't try. Expectations are horrifying. But Phelps could be sitting at home, having his friends say, "Oh Phelps could be a good swimmer, but he just doesn't try." No. Instead he competes on the world level, and does things that have never been pulled off before. Instead he puts it all on the line, and gives it everything that he has. He works hard, he trains hard, and he puts all of his heart into the gifts that he has been given.
I believe with my whole heart, that we all have amazing human potential. I will never be in the Olympics. I never expect to be. But I have been given gifts to make a difference in this world. I have been given the ability to do things in this world that have never been done. And so do you. We have such incredible opportunity!! You can do things that have NEVER been done before in the history of this world. You can do things that will change the course of history forever. You are good at who you are, and who you are is exactly who you need to be. Stop running away from your potential. Let's do this. Let's change the world. Let's change the world forever, and lets do it together.
I believe in you. You are amazing. You can do this. And I need, need you to believe in me as well. Because it is time for me to stop running.
I think it is absolute crap to believe that we are any different. The human potential is incredible. I have spent a lot of my life afraid of my potential. Because if I don't try as hard as I can, then people will still say, oh yeah Sean is good at this, he just doesn't try. Expectations are horrifying. But Phelps could be sitting at home, having his friends say, "Oh Phelps could be a good swimmer, but he just doesn't try." No. Instead he competes on the world level, and does things that have never been pulled off before. Instead he puts it all on the line, and gives it everything that he has. He works hard, he trains hard, and he puts all of his heart into the gifts that he has been given.
I believe with my whole heart, that we all have amazing human potential. I will never be in the Olympics. I never expect to be. But I have been given gifts to make a difference in this world. I have been given the ability to do things in this world that have never been done. And so do you. We have such incredible opportunity!! You can do things that have NEVER been done before in the history of this world. You can do things that will change the course of history forever. You are good at who you are, and who you are is exactly who you need to be. Stop running away from your potential. Let's do this. Let's change the world. Let's change the world forever, and lets do it together.
I believe in you. You are amazing. You can do this. And I need, need you to believe in me as well. Because it is time for me to stop running.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Perpetual Motion of The Human Heart
The older I get, the more of an attempt I make to understand how life is changing. I want to remember how life was, realize how life is, and dream about how life is going to be. But as we get older I understand the term 'childlike faith' more and more. Because from my observation, the older we get, the more destructive we get. We become destructive to ourselves and to the ones that we love.
One of the things that I am seeing more and more everyday, is that more and more people love with expectations. What a bummer! People are constantly deciding what people owe them, what people deserve from other people, and who people should be to them, and around them. I would be lying if I said that I haven't fallen into this, and I would be willing to guess that anyone reading this over the age of 21, could agree.
It is really heartbreaking. It really is. On the receiving end, I have had people tell me that I haven't offered them enough; I have had people tell me that I didn't act a certain way, when I should have; I have had people tell me that I didn't live up to certain 'social responsibilities.' And when I heard those words from people, it literally tore me apart. It IS my desire to love people with all of my heart. It IS my desire to take care of people, and give people an opportunity to take care of me. And when people tell me I didn't do a good enough job, it literally causes me to ache.
On the receiving end there is really nothing that you can do about it, except for ask God for healing, and hope and pray that people do appreciate the strides that you make to chase after who they are. But there is plenty I can do on the giving end. And in the past I have been critical of people. In the past I have gotten upset because people didn't 'offer' me something that I was 'owed.' Here's how I look at it now:
No one owes me anything. I am so thrilled to have people in my life who offer me love and who offer me time spent. But everything above zero from people is a bonus. And I need to start looking at my relationships and asking myself... what do I appreciate about you? People ARE going to mess up! I AM going to mess up! And I often do. People need grace when they screw up. And while I think real and big and deep issues need to be confronted... let the little stuff go. Consider what others might be going through themselves when they treat you a certain way. Ask questions, don't point fingers. And sometimes, yes, just let things go. Relationships are the most important thing in the world. Lets take care of each other. Love with all of your heart. Love until it hurts, even if it means someone hurting your pride.
Trust me in this: I love you so so much. I will screw up. I need grace. I love you so so much.
One of the things that I am seeing more and more everyday, is that more and more people love with expectations. What a bummer! People are constantly deciding what people owe them, what people deserve from other people, and who people should be to them, and around them. I would be lying if I said that I haven't fallen into this, and I would be willing to guess that anyone reading this over the age of 21, could agree.
It is really heartbreaking. It really is. On the receiving end, I have had people tell me that I haven't offered them enough; I have had people tell me that I didn't act a certain way, when I should have; I have had people tell me that I didn't live up to certain 'social responsibilities.' And when I heard those words from people, it literally tore me apart. It IS my desire to love people with all of my heart. It IS my desire to take care of people, and give people an opportunity to take care of me. And when people tell me I didn't do a good enough job, it literally causes me to ache.
On the receiving end there is really nothing that you can do about it, except for ask God for healing, and hope and pray that people do appreciate the strides that you make to chase after who they are. But there is plenty I can do on the giving end. And in the past I have been critical of people. In the past I have gotten upset because people didn't 'offer' me something that I was 'owed.' Here's how I look at it now:
No one owes me anything. I am so thrilled to have people in my life who offer me love and who offer me time spent. But everything above zero from people is a bonus. And I need to start looking at my relationships and asking myself... what do I appreciate about you? People ARE going to mess up! I AM going to mess up! And I often do. People need grace when they screw up. And while I think real and big and deep issues need to be confronted... let the little stuff go. Consider what others might be going through themselves when they treat you a certain way. Ask questions, don't point fingers. And sometimes, yes, just let things go. Relationships are the most important thing in the world. Lets take care of each other. Love with all of your heart. Love until it hurts, even if it means someone hurting your pride.
Trust me in this: I love you so so much. I will screw up. I need grace. I love you so so much.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
I Just Got Knocked Off My Rocker!
I love to go out of my way to surprise people. And not just like, "Oh my gosh, Sean, cool birthday gift." No, I like to do things where people are like, what the crap just happened. And Daniel, and Lance, always join me in these adventures, and we always talk about how cool it would be if people did something along those lines to us... Well today I got mine:
Keep in mind that there is no exaggeration when I tell this story. Today at a dinky little stop light, on Simms and 74th, there were 40 kids, yes 40, dressed up in capes, wigs, costumes etc. I got stopped at the light and all of them were frantically waving at me. I was royally confused, but didn't want to let them see my weakness or smell my confusion, so I frantically waved back. Then some kids began pretending like they were honking a horn. So I honked my horn, and the kids erupted in clapping, laughter, and some even went as far as to jump up in down in the air with glee. Then they subsided, and began making honking motions again. History repeated itself.
I drove away absolutely confused. I have no clue what happened, or what was happening. There wasn't any big buildings nearby, just a neighborhood. This will probably haunt me for the rest of my life. But I have to say, well done kids. You one upped me, and you one upped me good.
Keep in mind that there is no exaggeration when I tell this story. Today at a dinky little stop light, on Simms and 74th, there were 40 kids, yes 40, dressed up in capes, wigs, costumes etc. I got stopped at the light and all of them were frantically waving at me. I was royally confused, but didn't want to let them see my weakness or smell my confusion, so I frantically waved back. Then some kids began pretending like they were honking a horn. So I honked my horn, and the kids erupted in clapping, laughter, and some even went as far as to jump up in down in the air with glee. Then they subsided, and began making honking motions again. History repeated itself.
I drove away absolutely confused. I have no clue what happened, or what was happening. There wasn't any big buildings nearby, just a neighborhood. This will probably haunt me for the rest of my life. But I have to say, well done kids. You one upped me, and you one upped me good.
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