The Process...

We are in the middle of renovating the space of our new church building. The past two nights we have been cleaning up messes only to make more messes. If you only evalutate progress on the amount of chaos you see at the end of your time, you can become very discouraged thinking that you will never again get to a point where things look atleast presentable. However, if you take into consideration that projects are like this (mess, clean, mess clean) then you can keep the end result in mind (masterpiece).

Life is a lot like this, especially on the Christian journey. We come to Christ broken and in pieces, because of His redeeming power He puts us back together. Then as we fall deeper in love with Him; He starts breaking old parts of us off, leaving shattered pieces on the floor and restoring and strengthening us in being more whole, more like Him.

This process (mess, clean, mess, clean) will continue everyday until we reach the throne room of the Almighty.

What a beautiful mess we are when we are being restored by the love of Christ.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Great Verse I Read Today

"Let no debt remain outstanding except the continuing debt to love one another, for He who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law."
---Romans 13:8

We are a nation of people who understand the concept of debt. We run up debt on the dumbest things (me included). We buy clothes we can't afford, houses that are too big, cars that more new than last years model. We are a people drowning in the debt of keeping up with the Jones'. If we have learned anything from the current economic crisis it should be that our priorities are way out of whack. I love the Proverb that says "The borrower is a slave to the lender."

Paul's words strike as both guide and chastiser. When was the last time you tried to pay your debt of love to another? When was the last time you found your need to show love without an agenda more important that anything else you do?

Jesus summed up the people we are to become when He said "Love God with all you heart and with all your soul, with all your mind, with all your strength. Love your neighbor as yourself."

Let us, if only for one day, let love guide and be the overwhelming motivator in our lives.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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I'm Going On Blogcation For The Week

It's cold outside, Christmas is coming and I am thinking this would be a great week to go on Blogcation. If this sends you over the edge I suggest you 1. pick up a new hobby. 2. Read the old posts of greatness.

I will see ya next Tuesday.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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4 Prayers For Merge Community Church (Prayer 4)

"Father, make our hearts as one."

Unity is vital for a group of people to make any lasting impact in a community. If the organization, congregation or team can not work together toward a unified goal then they will inevitably struggle to get anywhere because each person will believe that their way is the best way.

Paul address our need to work together in 1 Cor. 12 when He describes the church as a body with Christ as the head. Though there are many parts we are called to work together for the reflection of God's glory.

At Merge I cam amazed by how many people we have with different gifts, this is why I believe we can accomplish much more together than we can apart. So my pray is that God would give us one unified burning desire in loving Him by loving people.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Four Prayers For Merge Community Church (Prayer Three)

"Father, let Your love be our love."

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Four Prayers For Merge Community Church (Prayer Two)

"Father, let us seek Your will over our comfort."

Whoever sold you the idea that life with Jesus meant the elimination of pain and discomfort sold you a huge lie. However, we all buy into this mentality from time to time. Truth is, when examined, Jesus said some very specific things in regards to the discomfort of His followers. Especially, when it comes to the ones who were considered His disciples. What I take from His warnings to them is that the closer we draw to God the more dangerous life with Him will become, not less.

We tend to evaluate life by how comfortable we are, when our comfort could be the most dangerous thing to us. Our comfort could quite possibly be killing our vitality and our influence that God is allowing us to have for His kingdom.

This is one of the reasons we planted in Lake Worth. It is filled with middle class families. One of the dangers of the middle class is the gospel of comfort. Work hard for the next vacation, the next car, the next house. (Usually all these things can be considered the bigger and well as next.)

Bottom Line: God did not send Jesus to provide you with lazy chair living. God sent Jesus to suffer the wrath created by our sin and to make possible an avenue for a relationship with Him. The sooner we realize that the discomfort we experience in our lives may actually be God working in our transformation process, the sooner we get to living life to the fullest.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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4 Prayers for Merge Community Church (Prayer One)

"Father, help us see the people of Lake Worth through Your eyes."

It is so easy to judge and evaluate people based on our prejudices', bias or our preferences. The sad thing is that we have a tendency to exclude people based on what we deem as their condition. I remember about this time last year when we were going public with our decision to plant a church in Lake Worth. Though people didn't say it with their lips, I saw it in their eyes. There confusion about why "anyone" would want to plant in Lake Worth showed their hand. They didn't see the people of Lake Worth as much of anything. They thought there were better areas, more financially abundant, more racial similar to us. However, I firmly believe that although their confusion may have been warranted, it wasn't God's plan for us.

I love Lake Worth and the people in it in ways that can only be expressed in a spiritual way. God has placed a burning and a burden inside my heart for the people in this community. I believe that God can break through to this city by breaking through us in love.

This is why I pray for our church that we would not see people through the lenses of our eyes. Rather see people through His eyes of love.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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When Your Decision Is Larger Than Your Ability (Part 4)...

I am sharing some thoughts about the process I am going through as I wrestle with decisions that are larger than what I feel my current ability is. Yesterday I wrote over facing the sometimes brutal facts, while still dreaming big.

Today I'm wrapping up these thoughts:

4. Embrace the fear that is created from your uncertainty.

Some of the greatest writing I have found over the subject of fear, courage and uncertainty is written by Andy Stanley in his book "The Next Generation Leader". I am currently rereading this book for about the 8th time.

There are some truths about fear that I am learning in a new light lately:
1. Fear will always drag your thoughts toward doom and gloom.
2. Fear will limit your vision if you continue to feed it.
3. Fear can both keep you from danger but also paralyze you from seeking safety.
4. Fear can be a proper motivator for change if you are able to handle it in a healthy way.

Some thoughts on uncertainty:
1. Everything is uncertain, we just come in and out of seasons when our awareness of this is more understood.
2. Uncertainty is not the absence of God's leading, He loves to work in the uncertainty so He can get the praise for the outcome.
3. Uncertainty and fear usually hang out with each other.
4. A leader has to face uncertainty with courage because courage is required when you are the only person on the dark road, leading the people who are following.

Bottom line: As leaders we have embrace fear in such a way that it begins to work as an asset for us and not a liability. As uncertainty rises around decisions that are needing to be made, you have to settle in on making the wisest decisions based on the current situation (a great book about this is "Profiles in Audacity"). If you can't get a handle on these two areas, you will not end up being a leader worth following for too long.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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When Your Decision Is Larger Than Your Ability (Part 3)...

I am sharing some thoughts about the process I am going through as I wrestle with decisions that are larger than what I feel my current ability is. Yesterday I wrote of how it is important to look surround yourself with different minds who share the same heart as you navigate through the uncertain waters.

Today I want to give you step 3 of the 4, I'm blogging about.

3. Face the sometimes brutal facts of your current situation, while still dreaming big.

One of a leaders challenges lies in the reality that they spend a good majority of their time thinking of issues and steps that lie only the future. Seeking a clear vision and having the courage to start walking in that direction is often a solo mission for the leader as he draws the necessary support.

The danger is that the leader can either live in a fantasy land void of the reality, or allow the good (but mostly the bad) of their current situation keep them from taking risk. A leader worth following must discover the balance of both.

Dreaming big while taking in consideration of their current situation is a great way to lead. Realizing that every organization will eventually settle on the status quo if they are not intentionally pursuing progress (Andy Stanley--Next Generation Leader thought) the job of the leader is to paint a picture of the next adventure.

We are experiencing this in some incredible ways right now at Merge. As we have been making decisions about our next step in the location we will call our next church home. In my fantasy land we would have a state of the art facility for free. The challenge with that fantasy is that it doesn't exist. It's not even one of the options. This is why we are seeking God guidance in taking a step that is bold but not ignorant.

Bottom line: Face the brutal facts (Good to Great---Jim Collins) but don't let them stop the work that God is doing in your dreams.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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When Your Decision Is Larger Than Your Ability (Part 2)...

I am sharing some thoughts about the process I am going through as I wrestle with decisions that are larger than what I feel my current ability is. Yesterday I wrote of how it is important to look for "God at Work" signs as mile markers as you navigate through the uncertain waters.

Today I want to give you step 2 of the 4 I will blog about.

2. Gather counsel with different minds, but like hearts.

I saw this happen beautifully the other day. I went into the meeting feeling that I had a clear opinion and set out to persuade the group to see things my way. I wasn't necessarily going for a consensus but rather a majority (as long as it went my way:)) What I wasn't prepared for was the fact that the group came in with their own opinions, some like mine, some the complete opposite, others a mix in between.

Over the two hour meeting we hashed out fears, dreams; faced the brutal facts, while thinking optimistically about tomorrow. What I find interesting is the counsel of the group changed my way of thinking. Sure, I could have said that this was what I feel we should do and I think the group would have given me permission to try it my way. I could mask my decision with the blanket statement "I feel this is what God is telling us to do.", that tends to be an 'ender' for a leader pastor.

But what good is having counsel in your life if you don't listen to them?

This is why having people in your life who are willing to give their opinion even if it conflicts with yours is so important. Clearly your perspective is bias and maybe if you are like me, you have a tendency to see things the way that works best for you.

What is paramount though, is not just finding conflicting opinions or different minds. But finding different minds with the same heart. When we have a similar heart or vision the weight of the decision lessens. Because together you can accomplish more than if it was purely a solo effort.

It is possible to have a group of people with the same vision but come on separate sides of an issue. The insecure leader will only surround himself with "yes" men and as a consequence will cap the potential of his organization.

Bottom line: surround yourself with people who support what God is doing through you and are willing to speak truth and counsel in an environment where they feel valued to express such thoughts.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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When Your Decision Is Larger Than Your Ability... (Part 1)

Over the past few weeks we have been praying and seeking God's wisdom on what are our next steps as a church in regards to where we meet together. Over the past year we have been incredibly fortunate to have the space we currently have. Our Landlord is a great man who has been overly supportive of what God is doing. The banquet hall we rent out weekly has given us a very reasonable price and have given us a lot of freedom.

But knowing that this time is coming to a possible end has led us into some rather difficult waters as we try to figure out what the next step is in our journey. There are moments when this topic seems to be harder to decide than actually launching the church.

Because of this I have made (actually learned along the way) 4 things that has to be done when the decisions you are trying to make are larger than your current ability (I'm giving you one today and will blog the rest in the coming days):

1. Look for "God at Work" signs as mile markers.
You may have heard the ancient proverb "Every journey starts with the first step." Dr. Henry Cloud encourages people who are attempting to tackle big projects to "embrace their inner insect" (basically take the enormity of the project and not allow it to scare you away, instead tackle one small project at a time). I believe the same thought applies to your decision making. Look at it this way:

If you were traveling to ski in Keystone, CO and lived here in the metroplex, you would never make it if you were looking soley for the traffic signs that read "Keystone". Because the location is too far away and not relevant for most people in this area. What you have to do is take is one step at a time. Take 820 until you find the next step of 287, travel on that until what ever the next step is. USE THE MILE MARKERS TO GUIDE YOUR TRAVELS. Exit signs are valuable (especially if you are on the wrong road) Eventually you will make it to Keystone and along the way you will realize that the closer you are to your desitnation the more confidence you have because even the signs are starting to line up. If you are heading in the wrong direction, all hopes of arriving will halt and you will know it because your surroundings won't be right.

The same can apply in making decision. When attempting to make a large decision, break the project up. One way we have done this recently is by asking a question Andy Stanley writes about in "The Best Question Ever": Based on our past experiences, current circumstances and future hopes and dreams...What is the wise thing to do?

By breaking the decision into smaller bites you can start seeing the direction and leadings of your Heavenly Father. You will begin to see the torches of His leadings and will arrive at a decision destination with more confidence and much of the time quicker.

My fingers are falling off from all this typing.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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4 Things I Choose Not To Do... (Part 4)

This week I will be blogging over 4 choices is making in not choosing them (hope that makes sense. I believe that by sometimes choosing what you will not do has greater influence in what you choose to do)

4. I choose not to let the WORK of God overpower my RELATIONSHIP with God.

There is a tendency in us to believe that just because we are doing means we are making progress. In fact, some of us have gained promotions and bonuses because we have mastered the art of looking busy over being productive. I believe there is a danger in us all (especially those in full time ministry) in allowing the WORK of the ministry become the god of our lives.

We can get so busy that we remove the work of God from our lives. Granted most times I feel this is accidental. Other times we are avoiding some uncomfortable things He is challenging us to do. We mask our fear with our busyness thinking that we can fool the Creator of the universe.

It is an impossible task to follow God and your agenda. That is why today I am working hard and not working on things that will overpower the whispers and shouts of my Heavenly Father.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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4 Things I Choose Not To Do... (Part 3)

This week I will be blogging over 4 choices is making in not choosing them (hope that makes sense. I believe that by sometimes choosing what you will not do has greater influence in what you choose to do)

3. I choose not to lash out in hate, rather I choose to lash out in love.

Take some time and read Jesus' words on how to deal with the people you would rather toss off a cliff. We see words like, "Pray for those who persecute you" and "if someone strikes you on the cheek turn and offer the other one". Sometimes I think Jesus was telling us this stuff so Heaven can have some entertainment. I would be right except He did that annoying thing and lived as an example to follow (especially when it came to reacting to the people we would rather toss off a cliff).

In 1 John we are called to love not based on conditions of what people can do or have done for us. We are called to be people of love because God first loved us. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians to "do EVERYTHING in love". I find it incredibly convenient when we constantly ignore verses like these. We use excuses such as "well, you don't know what they did" or "I know what I am suppose to do, I just don't want to".

Truth is we have tried for centuries to get even and lash out in the most hurtful ways. Maybe it's time to change tactics. Maybe it's time to lash out in love and just see what kind of world we could live in.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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4 Things I Choose Not To Do... (Part 2)

This week I will be blogging over 4 choices is making in not choosing them (hope that makes sense. I believe that by sometimes choosing what you will not do has greater influence in what you choose to do)

2. I choose not to fight battles over things that don't matter.

Have you ever found yourself in a conflict that in the middle of it you thought to yourself, "Self, you sure are fired up about something, but what you are arguing has little to do with it." I don't think I am the only one guilty of this line of self-destruction. Truth is we fight over things that have little to no consequence. We can misdirect and project our frustrations onto innocent parties. I had a Sociology professor who gave a great illustration of how we do this:

"A man is yelled by his boss. Because he can't yell at his boss, he goes home and yells at his wife. Because the wife doesn't accomplish much by yelling at her husband, she yells at the kid. Because the kid is the lowest on the family food chain, he decides to kick the cat."

I'm not recommending not fighting. Because there are big things that we need to stand up for. What I am suggesting is taking the time while you are in conflict and asking yourself "In six days, six months, 6 years or 60 years; WILL THIS MATTER?"

If not, then take a greatly different approach.

I choose today to only fight the battles that matter and steer clear of the ones that don't.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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4 Things I Choose Not To Do This Week... (Part 1)

This week I will be blogging over 4 choices is making in not choosing them (hope that makes sense. I believe that by sometimes choosing what you will not do has greater influence in what you choose to do)

1. I choose not to allow my time schedule to push against the work of God in my life.

It is so easy to feel that God needs proper motivation to advance the "kingdom of me". There is a time recorded in 1 Samuel where King Saul was impatient with Samuel and took matters in his own hands by taking a specific offering. It marked the beginning of his. He did something we recklessly attempt to do. We try to speed up the provision of God in our lives. When I do this, I find that my justification of my actions conflict with the pace God is calling me to live. We see this played out in great ways in our finances, our career opportunities and for some in our marriage and relationships.

There is a great reason why God invites us into a relationship with Him. There is a great reason why His pace of living is the most sound pace to live by. To put is simply it's a matter of perspective. The fact that He sees the bigger picture of our lives more clearly than we do should be reason enough (though we seldom believe this to be true). When we take the reins of God isn't mainly during seasons of chaos? If we choose to fuel this way of living it will not be long before we have led ourselves astray.

I will ask God each day this week, "What speed are we going today?"

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Words To Chew On...

I picked up a Max Lucado book off of m shelves the other day that I thought I never read. I enjoy the way Lucado pens a sentence. He has a way of making a profound statement to sound like a poem.

In his book entitled "It's Not About Me" he said this that I challenge you to chew on for a little bit:

"When our deepest desire is not the things of God, or a favor from God, but God Himself, we cross a threshold. Less self-focus, more God-focus. Less about me, more about Him."

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Sunday Lesson Recap...

Ecclessia-What it means to be the church
"A Thankful Church"
1 Thessalonians 5:12-18

--A Thankful Church, is filled with Thankful People, who have Thankful Hearts.

--Take some time this week and identify 10 things you are thankful for (here is a a great way to tell God you are)... "Father, for ______________, I thank You."

--I Thank Thee by Jane Crewdson (1860)
O Thou whose bounty fills my cup,
With every blessing meet!
I give Thee thanks for every drop---
The bitter and the sweet.
I praise Thee for the desert road,
And for the riverside;
For all Thy goodness hath bestowed,
And all Thy grace denied.
I thank Thee for both smile and frown,
And for the gain and loss;
I praise Thee for the future crown
And for the present cross.
I thank Thee for both wings of love
Which stirred my worldly nest;
And for the stormy clouds which drove Me,
trembling, to Thy breast.
I bless Thee for the glad increase,
And for the waning joy;
And for this strange, this settled peace
Which nothing can destroy.

Friday Scripture Spotlight...

Everyday I try to read a Psalm (for intimacy with God), a Proverb (for wisdom from God), and a verse in a book of the Bible I am journeying through (this week I finished Judges and have started 2 Kings). I believe that the word of God is powerful and effective. It gives me insight into the uncertainties that arise in my life.

Here is a verse that stuck out to me today (have fun wrestling with this one):

"If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor,
he too will cry out and not be answered."
---Proverbs 21:13

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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He Is Only Three, Maybe We Can Cut Him Some Slack

Over the past few months Barak has shown great interest in sitting along side of me while I play video games on my XBOX 360. It's pretty cool, he will sit with a controller in his hand and tell me what he thinks I should do. Every once in a while he will instruct me to let the bad guys win and I have to explain to him that if that happens we would lose. He hates losing so he quickly changes gears.

Last night we went to Blockbuster and he picked out a game we could play together. It came down between Lego Batman, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Spider Man. He emphatically chose the Spider Man game. We got home, fired it up and in a flash of an eye, the little boy who use to be so dependent on me feeding him a bottle was now playing co-op with me on a video game.

Now, don't have visions of a gamer genius because he is everything but. His main goal is to just follow my character around. He can only handle one function at a time. Either he punches or he walks. Never at the same time. I found myself at times a little frustrated that he couldn't keep up. Then the thought occurred to me:

"BAG, HE IS A THREE YEAR OLD BOY. CUT HIM SOME SLACK."

The truth is he is not mature enough to understand the complexity of the games. (Just like some of the people who can frustrate you so much. Maybe they are like a three year old emotionally and can't comprehend what you are wanting them to do.)

As I was going to bed thinking about this experience with Barak, the thought occurred to me. This isn't about the work, it's about the time. The time we get to spend with each other. Battling with each other. High five-ing in the victories and restarting the battles together. This moment is much deeper than playing video games. It is teaching us how to enjoy each other in very special ways. So instead of me cutting him some slack, I hope that he will cut me some.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Random Thought...

One of the common misconceptions about leaders are that they are people who have all the answers before then questions are even asked. This is not true in my experiences in observing leaders and being one myself. In fact, the leaders I respect most have countless times spoke about the need to have a team to help tackle tough leadership issues with. The one man team will rarely have staying power because eventually that man will run out of ideas, desires or credit.

A major lesson I am learning currently when it comes to making decisions as the chief decision maker for Merge is that there are times when you will be making decisions based on a set of circumstances and those circumstances can change dramatically ultimately effecting the decision. When that happens a leader would be foolish not to pay attention to the new set of circumstances because they can dramatically reflect a wise or a poor decision being made.

One question I have been asking myself and my God lately is: "Based on what I know now, what is the wise thing for me to do?" There is uncertainty, fear, worry, confusion and possibly frustration wrapped inside the decision process. In fact, one of the most difficult things to figure out is if you are a strong enough leader to walk away from a deal that took a lot of time and energy to construct based on the information that is staring you right in the face.

However, I have never heard any one say that leadership is a walk in the park. What you can do is learn from your past experiences, recognize your current situations and strive for your vision. Jim Collins in his book, "Good to Great" has a principle that says sometimes we just have to face the brutal facts. A major factor in doing this is making decisions based on reality and dreams at the same time. A good leader has a sense in balancing the two wisely and not recklessly.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Sunday Lesson Recap...

Worry: Devotion Emotion
Matthew 6:24-30

-It is undeniable that we as a nation are experiencing great challenges in regards to the economy. What is happening on Wall Street has now most definitely effected Main Street and the result is an emotion that is very powerful and damaging...WORRY.

-We are a nation of Worriers. Don't think so? Go to a bookstore and look in the self help section and see just how many books focus on stress and worry management.

-We don't have a money issue, we have a worry issue (our worry is attached to our money), which lead to a faith issue.

-This lesson was taught to me through the words of Andy Stanley of North Point Community Church.

3 Questions to ask:
1. Who of you, by worrying, can add a single hour to your life?
2. Who of you have worried so much think you have actually shortened your life?
3. Is there anything more important to you than staying alive; will worrying contribute to the thing that you value more than your life?

Matthew 6:
Overall thought--- The things that you are most devoted to, fuel the things you worry about the most.

-There is a connection between your devotion and your emotion of worry.

v.25
-Jesus is telling us that there is a way to face the uncertainty of tomorrow but not worry about it today. When it comes to your life---stop worrying.

v.25-30
listen to the lesson at www.mergecommunitychurch.com
really good stuff in there.

3 take away's:
1. Worry is not just a waste of time, it's a waste of life. Refuse to waste your life.
2. We are to do what we can do, then trust God to do the rest.
3. What I am most devoted to, will be the object of my worry.

-When was the last time your worry had to do with the things of God?
-When was the last time you worried about someone's salvation, God breaking through you so you can break through your city, that God would move mightily on your behalf?

-Our goal this week is to love God by loving People.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Friday, Verse Of The Day...

I try to make it a practice to read three chapters a day in my Bible. I read a Psalm, a Proverb and a book in the Bible (today I read the flannel board story of Samson and Delilah in the book of Judges).

Today I wanted to spotlight a verse that really caught my attention:

Proverbs 14:23
"All hard work brings a profit,
but mere talk leads only to poverty."

The Word of God is truly enriching, challenging, life-changing and power supplying. We would be fools to think that we can survive without it's nutrition.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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The Main Thing About Uncertainty Is That It Is Certain...

It's true. If you really want to go a little crazy settle in with the truth that you and I have had absolutely no certainty when I comes to our outcomes. We have seasons when we are more aware of it, but there is nothing about your present or your future that is certain. I believe that our current economic situation as a nation speaks to that testament.

What can we do to manage uncertainty and survive.
Here are a few suggestions off the top of my head:

1. Be responsible with your today. (Give, Save, Spend--not the other way around)

2. Seek a clearer perspective. (there are things that happen in your life that are outside of your control. We spend so much time fighting for control that we tend to get ourselves even more wrapped up in even more uncertainty. It's like running in the forest in the pitch black, just because you are running doesn't mean you are making progress.)

3. Realize that uncertainty is a reality of living. (The sooner you embrace that life is uncertain, the sooner you can prepare for it's uncertainty.)

4. Stop fooling yourself in believing that can control everything.

5. Rely more on God and trust that there is nothing uncertain about Him. (His affection for you is incredible. Though the economy is uncertain, relationships are uncertain, your job is uncertain, the next few chapters of your life is uncertain; God has been and always will be constant and unchanging.

So say it out loud today... "The only thing about uncertainty is that it is certain that we will be uncertain."

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Focus, Dark vs. Light...

Last night in our Bible Study we were going through a section of Ephesians 5 when the question was asked, "In what ways do you struggle with living as a child of light?" My answer was that my biggest struggle is in dieng to the things that are dark, when Daniel (maybe the most interesting life story I have ever heard) said this:

"We get so focused to dieing to the things that are dark, that we stop looking to the things that are light."

It was an incredibly eye opening moment for me. He continued to show us through the passage we were reading that instead of focusing on avoiding the things that are dark, we should replace them with things that are light. In fact, Paul says lists many different things that our produced when we allow our mouths to run rampant and says the ticket to overcoming them is replacing those words with thankful ones.

It is such a simple and yet profound thought. It's like what we do with little kids, if you can divert their attention then what they were determined to do gets lost in their current activity.

Whatever that dark thing you are flirting with is, if you stare at it enough you will inevitably fall into it's arms. It's enticement will be so strong that you will eventually decide to stop fighting. But if you choose to replace your focus on the things of light then you will experience freedom in the truest sense of the word.

I thank Daniel for speaking truth into my heart last night. It was definitely a moment of iron sharpening iron.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Sunday Lesson Recap...

Ecclesia-what it means to be the church
Part Four- A prayer for each other

*Phillipians 1:3-11

*Paul opens with talking directly about people and how he is choosing to relate to them. Because we know this: if our relationships are bad, life stinks. If our relationships are strained, life is difficult. If you have challenges with people it zaps the joy in your life.

*To appreciate verse three you need to read Acts 16:12-39 to experience Paul's first experience with Philippi.

Growing in your relationships (inspired by a Rick Warren lesson)
1) Be grateful for the good in people. (v.3)
2) Practice positive praying. (v. 4)
3) Be patient with their progress. (v.6)
4) Love people from the heart. (v.7,8)

Lesson's to learn
1) Remember the best, forget the rest.
2) A joyful prayer, make a joyful heart.
3) God isn't finished with people.
4) God has put love in our hearts, don't hide it!
Lesson to learn 1) Remember the best, forget the rest.

4 things to pray for the church
That we the church would...
1) grow in our love (v.9)
2) make wise choices (v.10a)
3) do the right things (v.10b)
4) live for God's glory (v.11)

Philippians 1:9-11 (NCV)
This is my prayer for you: that your love will grow more and more; that you will have knowledge and understanding with your love; that you will see the difference between good and bad and will choose the good; that you will be pure and without wrong for the coming of Christ; that you will do many good things with the help of Christ to bring glory and praise to God.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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My Favorite 3 Hours Of The Week

I was driving home last night thinking about where I find joy and satisfaction and it occured to me that there are three hours in my week when I feel most fulfilled and on mission.

Hour One (Sunday's, 10:30-11:30)
When we meet on Sunday's for Merge and gather together as a body of believer's I am encouraged and challenged to pursue my Heavenly Father with more passion. As I have the opportunity to teach the Word of God I strive to help people see how relevant Jesus is in their lives and how the Bible isn't just a book to have on you coffee table. As I interact with fellow Merger's and guest I am energized because I know that together we can do greater things than we can apart. I am so thankful for being part of a body of believers who are determined to see the unleashed love of God in Lake Worth.

Hours Two and Three (Thursday's, 5:00-7:00)
I get to do two major things on Thursdays that make a great difference in our community. The first is taking part in the backpack program. Every kid that gets a backpack with needed food to take home is prayed for and hopefully one day we will get the chance to talk to them about Jesus. And even if we don't it is still a win because my motivation in making a change has little to do with human results. I simply know that it brings a smile to the face of my Heavenly Father.

The other thing I get to be a part of is playing with some kids while their parents are in an ESL class. Last night, Misty and I had a great time with about 18 kids while we played dodgeball and sharks and minnows. We smiled, the kids smiled and we were able to show them that there are people in this world who care about them. Every high five is a reward and every time they spend time asking me questions fills my heart with joy.

I believe greatly in identifying the things that drain you and more importantly energize you. Take some time today and take and inventory and ask yourself, "What are my favorite 3 hours of the week?" (if it is three television shows then you may need to get off your couch and get active in living:)).

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Generosity Matters...

It is undeniable that the nation's economy is in freak out mode. This morning, I was reading a pastor's blog about the letter he sent out to his congregation reminding them to continue to give sacrifically because the past few months offerings have dropped but attendance has stayed the same.

This morning coming into the office I was listening to a podcasted lesson from Andy Stanley. So far he is talking about our need to continue to be generous regardless of our 401k's, instability of the economy and the uncertainty of a breakthrough (which I believe will happen, this isn't the end of the world....I think).

We are in the last stages of securing a lease on a property that I believe whole heartedly will be our new church home. But it goes without saying, THIS IS AN UPHILL CLIMB. At this point the funds we were raising for renovation have needed to be diverted to securing the lease. At times this seems to be a confusing mess. However, I have a few thoughts that guide me as a light in these uncertain waters.

1. God is good and it is impossible to thwart His plans.
2. The deadlines of man are sometimes motivators for action other times ways for God to work miracles on our behalf.
3. I have an opportunity to show love to people and that doesn't usually cost any money.
4. When I give sacrificially and joyfully, God has a way taking care of me abundantly.
5. I give, not out of obligation, but out of a heart longing to see the unleashed love of God in Lake Worth.
6. Life is a journey, adventure, battle. God stretches us to grow us. He is still God in the challenging days and the easy ones.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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My Post-Election Post....

Last night we experienced a moment in history that will be (in my opinion) one of the most significant ones we have in this nations life. Going into yesterday I knew that regardless of the outcome there would be ten's of millions of people dissapointed. Some will even think that the world is coming to an end because their candidate or their party did not win the election.

And though I am not writing to say who I supported I will say that "What is done is done." Like it or lump it we have a new president starting the transition period. Over the next few months President-Elect Obama will be making difficult decisions in regards to his cabinet, White House Staffers, Policy and Change.

If you want to make this nation a better one, I can give you one thing you can do that will cost you no more than a little time and energy. PRAY. Pray for our new President. He will be leading us into some very uncertain waters both domestically and globally. Pray that he would have wisdom and would surround himself with people who likewise have wisdom.

I believe the church is the hope of the world. Not Obama or McCain. Not Democrats or Republicans. If we want to desperately see change in this nation, it has little to do with the White House, or Wall Street and everything to do with our households and churches. We posses inside us the keys to making this a great nation. What we must do is wake up from our slumber and be determined that what we do matters.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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p.s. In case you were trying to figure out who I was endorsing, I had the same speech prepared for either candidate winning:)

Sunday Lesson Recap...

Ecclesia (what it means to be the church)
Part Three (a love for each other)

--A church can be helpful or hurtful and the reason has very little to do with their denomination affiliation, the size of the church, whether they allow dancing, regardless on their views on drinking, or how they vote in politics.

--A church is helpful or hurtful based on the sole action of the people that are a part of that body of believers.

--You can go to a conference, a camp, listen to a guy on t.v. and start a relationship with God. But the local church is where we GROW that relationship.

--It is my belief that we, as a church, can either be a powerful agent of change or just a group of people who spend a little time together on a weekly basis. And if Merge Community Church ends up being the latter then we are all wasting our time.

--The environment we create here at Merge is so important in how people will eventually relate to their Heavenly Father. I can't stress this enough, HOW WE TREAT EACH OTHER WILL EITHER OPEN UP OR SHUT DOWN AVENUES FOR PEOPLE'S SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT.

****Ecclesiastes 4:7-12******

--It is a tragedy when people go through life in isolation.

****BUILDING COMMUNITY****
Accept each other "as-is" (Rom. 15:7)
--we like the idea of acceptance when it is on our terms. The challenge is that our terms are to petty and immature.

--you are not the finished product of who you will eventually become....and neither are they.

Build unity with each other (Ps. 133:1)
--Our purpose is singular, but our methods are multiple.

Create a safe place to get real. (James 5:16)
--It's so easy to come to church and play the role. Some of us walked in here this morning thinking, "If these guys knew what I was going through, or it they knew what I have been thinking about, or if they only knew what I was doing when no one else is around... they would run me out of here like a mob.

--We exist to be a place where we can be real, honest and transparent with each other. It's the beauty of the church...you shouldn't have to fake it.

Don't bail during conflict. (Pro. 17:17)
--How many of life's relationships ended prematurely because people bail unecessarily because of conflict.

--Relationships require maintenance and sometimes the result is a fierce battle just to keep the friendship alive. Jumping overboard only results in one outcome, DISTANCE OR WORSE...DEATH.

Encourage and assist growth in each other. (1 Thes. 5:11, Pro. 27:17)

Forgive frequently and restore gently (Gal. 6:1)
--Forgiveness is of little use if you still are using it as a weapon to control that relationship.

Give love to each other unapologetically. (1 Cor. 16:14, Rom. 13:8 nlt)
--Love responds to love.

--When in doubt choose the most loving action available to you.

--Anytime we act out in love, we reflect Jesus. Anytime we reflect Jesus, we draw closer to God. Which makes us an even more loving person.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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If too much candy makes you throw up, is that really that bad of a thing?

It's Halloween. I don't know what your views on the holiday are, I tend to like it. Not because of the costumes or the fact that tonight I will walk with Barak to places I would rather not go. BUT FOR THE CANDY. It's the one day of the year I feel no guilt about eating as much candy as possible. In fact, after this posting I may run to CVS and get the party started early so when Misty get's home she will find me in a candy induced stupor instead of working on the lesson for Sunday.

Here is my question: If you have so much candy that it makes you throw up, is that so bad a thing? I mean, what it pleasurable about the candy is when it goes in the mouth. You savor it, relish in the taste of the chocolate. When it comes out, it moves pretty quick. Leaving more room to start the process all over again.

I'm not endorsing binging and purging. But just saying that if I end up throwing up a cocktail of tootsie rolls, sweet tarts, milky way's and snicker's, don't feel sorry for me. I'm just grateful I get to try it all over again.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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The Power of a Mentor

I have been blessed to have many men who are willing to play the role of mentor and coach to me in my life. The power of a mentor is vital if you really want to make a difference in any endeavor that you set out to accomplish. I find that a mentor can be the difference wandering aimlessly and being on mission to make a difference.

Here are a few men that have spoken in to my life in the past and are continuing to speak into my my life today:

Andy Stanley (pastor of North Point Community Church)
Steven Furtick (pastor of Elevation Church)
Craig Groeschel (pastor of Lifechurch.tv)
Bill Hybels (pastor of Willow Creek Community Church)
Jessie Simon (pastor of Ridge Community Church)
Jake Ledet (pastor of Merge Community Church)
Brandon McCain (student pastor of Summit Community Church)
Coach K (Duke Men's Basketball Coach)
John C. Maxwell (Leadership Expert)
Ron Geary (DAD)

These are just a few of the men that have helped me become who I am today and challenge me to stretch out and strive for a better tomorrow.

I am grateful and thankful for these men.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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10 Books I Highly Recommend...

I love reading books. I think one of the greatest ways to find knowledge is in the pages of books that stretch and inspire you. I usually find myself reading two kinds of books, 1. Leadership 2. Spiritual Growth.

Here is a list of 10 books I highly recommend:

Leadership
1. The Next Generation Leader--- Andy Stanley
2. The Contrarian's Guide to Leadership--- Stephen Sample
3. Courageous Leadership--- Bill Hybels
4. 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership--- John C. Maxwell
5. Good to Great--- Jim Collins

Spiritual Growth
1. It Came From Within--- Andy Stanley
2. Story--- Steven James
3. He Chose the Nails--- Max Lucado
4. Contrarian's Guide to Knowing God--- Larry Osborne
5. The Screwtape Letter's--- C.S. Lewis

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Star Village Video

Mr. Mom...

Barak is a bit under the weather today so that means we are both at home. I don't know what all the fuss is about being responsible for kids who are sick. I sat him on the couch, turned on the home shopping network, put a bowl of grapes and a cup of orange juice in front of him, not knowing what is really making him sick I left an assortment of over the counter drugs for him to take a guess at. For lunch I gave him a knife to peel potatoes with and turned the oven on, I left the bleach out with the lid off in case he wants to do a little cleaning. If he gets really bored, the front door is open for him to play in the street.

I don't know why people say parenting is such a hard job. If my three year old can manage these things then surely yours can too.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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5 Reasons I Like The Cold Weather...

I felt my post yesterday was a bit on the heavy side so I decided today I would lighten it up.

5 reasons I like the cold weather:

1. I like my winter clothes more then my summer clothes.

2. I'm tired of having the same conversation, "When is it going to not be so hot?" Now we can change the subject, "I sure will be glad when it warms up." (Don't act like you are part of that vicious cycle.)

3. The colder it gets the better chance there is for an ice day. No work, no school, a day designated to sitting on your butt, watching t.v. and eating cookie dough. We never are surprised in June with "It's too hot to go to work day." (take that all you summer season lovers)

4. The cold weather makes the house cold, which in turn forces Misty to cuddle up next to me. It's true. Sometimes I intentionally try to freeze the house so she will snuggle up under my arm.

5. I like seeing my breath in the cold weather. It is a reminder that I am alive. I know that as long as I see the breath cloud coming from my mouth that I haven't passed away unaware of what happened. There are times in the summer I just don't know. The torment is horrible. I have to run to a freezer, just to see.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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p.s. Tomorrow I have a scheduled black out day. That means no electronics all day. I will spend time praying, thinking, dreaming and reading. So I might not blog again until Tuesday. You should use this new found time to cross-stitch something special for your mom.

Words to Chew On...

"We can not blame the darkness for being dark,
but must blame the light for not shining in the darkness."
--- Craig Gross

This goes at the root of an issue I believe we (the church) has suffered from for far to long. We hold people to Christian rules and commandments when they haven't signed up to play our game. We tell them what the Bible says, forgetting that the Bible is written to God's children. Topics like homosexuality are greatly attacked from the Christian front as attacks on marriage, when it would be even more shocking to realize just how many divorces come from Christian homes. Which attack is more damaging?

It seems we are more focused on people being transformed to the image of our comfort than the image of God. In scripture we see Jesus take a totally different approach than most of us do when it comes to interacting with people who don't have a relationship with God. We see an overload of grace and acceptance equaled with undeniable truth. In fact, His harshest words are reserved for the church and her willingness to miss the mark completely.

I don't mean to sound overly critical of the church. I love the church and what we stand for. I believe that we can turn this world upside down in love. I only want to be honest about our current state and not live in a fantasy world where all is not as it seems.

Our issue isn't that we live in a dark world.
Our issue is that we are not shining in love near enough.
We need to realize that our influence is best accepted when we have permission to speak truth into the hearts of willing people. Not shouting at them with the list of the things they are doing wrong. I believe that is the church we are called to be.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Ecclesia Part One Lesson Recap

Last Sunday at Merge we started a series entitled "Ecclesia-what it means to be the church". Here are a few thoughts from that lesson.

Part One: A Love For God

-I believe the church is the hope of the world because it plays a role in helping people say "YES" to Jesus. This helps in not just eternal matters, but in the confusion of our everyday lives.

-A church can either be a powerful agent of change or just a group of people who spend a little time together on a weekly basis.

-If the aim of every Christian is to reflect Christ by living in love then the church should simply be a collection of those people.

-As a church we have to actively and intentionally focus on growing in our love for God, growing in our love for people who do not have a relationship with Jesus, and growing in our love for each other as a local and a global church.

-Lesson Passage: Revelation 2:1-5

-The friends you have should challenge you and when necessary kick your butt when you are allowing sin to become a regular habit in your life. If your friends are unwilling to confront you on matters like this, they have failed you. If you are unwilling to confront a friend on matters like this, you have failed them.

-v4 "Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love."

-In their attempt to be the church they forgot to love God for who He is.

-One of the great dangers of the American Church is that we can spend so much time focused on producing results and creating momentum that we take God right out of the equation.

-Steps to returning to God:
Remember (a the times when your love for Him engulfed who you are)
Repent (many of us have lost our love for God because we have willingly chosen to act outside of His direction and our hearts have become accustomed to searching for love in all the wrong places.
Do (the things you did before you forsook that love)

-Some of us are in desperate need to spice up our love lives with God. Some of us are treating Him more like a room mate than a love. Some are asking Him to pay His part of the rent and stay out of your room.

-v5

-As a church Jesus allows our light to shine, not for our glory, but for the usefulness of His kingdom. When a church loses focus and operates forsaking a love for God and Christ, He says that He will come along and remove their lampstand. He will extinguish the light that comes from that church. The church will in exist but will be hidden in it's community.

-5 ways to fuel your love for God
engage in prayer
engulf yourself in His Word
pursue Godly adventures
practice generosity
let love navigate your course

-When in doubt choose the most loving action that comes to mind. The more we love the more we reflect Christ. The more we reflect Christ the closer we draw to God. Which in turn makes us even more loving.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Sunday Night Reflections

It was a good morning at Merge Community Church. We opened a series entitled "Ecclesia". We are going to be taking an honest look at what it means to be the church.

I pray that over the next few weeks we would draw closer to God by exploring our need to grow in our love for people who don't have a relationship with Jesus, our love for the church both local and global, and most important grow in our love for God.

We took our first of a few renovation offerings. I am so excited about the possibility of making the move to the Star Village suite. I believe that space can really give our church a chance to have a greater influence in our community. More on that later.

I love the people that I am journeying with at Merge. God is doing some really cool things around us and the next few chapters are going to be incredible.

Barak is going to be Scooby Doo for Halloween and the costume is really cool. He is a good boy and I love Him so much.

I'm really lazy and looking forward to going to sleep.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Words To Chew On...

There is an old Fransican Benediction that was prayed over me and a few other thousand people last year. It has surfaced in a few blogs and conversations I have had lately. I think it is an incredible prayer that I am praying for our church. If we can get hold of the power that comes in wearing this prayer then our world will be forever changed.

Here it is, take some time today and write it out and meditate on what it means to you:

May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers,
half truths, and superficial relationships,
so that you may live deep within your heart.

May God bless you with anger at injustice,
oppression, and exploitation of people,
so that you may work for justice,
freedom and peace.

May God bless you with tears to shed for
those who suffer from pain, rejection,
starvation, and war, so that you may
reach out your hand to comfort them and
turn their pain into joy.

And may God bless you with enough
foolishness to believe that you can make
a difference in this world, so that you can
do what others claim cannot be done.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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My Quote Wall...

Over the past 8 years I have made it a point to work hard at becoming a student of leadership. I read constantly to consume information because reading is a source of potency so I consider it to be a great asset in my development as a pastor and a Christ follower. Since making that decision I have collected many quotes that have ended up on post it notes, scratch paper that I carry around, typed into my iphone, taped on walls and written on marker boards.

I like to keep some of the quotes in front of me because they grab my attention and cause me to think deep about the words and their application. I don't know if you do this but I find it to be a great tool in keeping focused on the things that I claim to matter.

Sunday night I added one more addition to the quote wall. I made a desktop background picture on my laptop. This way every time I start my computer up I get to see these quotes. I will periodically switch quotes out but these are the four I am wrestling with today. (You can click on it and it will enlarge)

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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I'm Keeping My Line Clear

It is hard to describe the things that happened last week while we were at Catalyst. It was an incredibly motivating and challenging time. I can say that I heard from God, felt the Holy Spirit and worshiped Jesus.

The time we spent together as a team was by far time that we will not soon forget. We laughed a lot and spoke openly about where we are as a church and as fellow believers. We even played a full contact game of Spoons. Yes, there were some biting, blood shed, something that looked like a choke hold and Misty elbowed me in the face. I love the people that were on this trip with me and am grateful that God would put them in my life for the current adventure.

However, all that could change in the next few days. With Tony Romo out for a few weeks with a broken finger I think Jerry Jones will be calling me shortly. Please don't call me, I'm keeping my line clear:)

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Made It To Atlanta

My team and myself are spending a few days at the Catalyst conference in Atlanta, Georgia. This conference is very special to me. Last year while here God confirmed a lot of the whispers He had been speaking into my soul.

I am excited to be here with the momentum and clarity we have currently at Merge and can't wait to see what doors He blows off the next few days.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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I Can't Believe I Agreed To This

Misty and I are going to be out of town the next few days so we decided to go see a movie with Barak tonight. His choice. Guess what he decided? Beverly Hills Chiuha (I can't even beging to try to spell it).

Needless to say I have found about an hour and a half of my time where I am literally praying for the theater to catch on fire (of course no one gets hurt).

2 thoughts are crossing my mind:

1. I really need to get Barak in on G.I. Joe.

2. If rich people really spend this kind of money on their dogs then I say I am all for a tax increase on the top 25%. We can call it a tax on stupidity.

Can you please call in a bomb threat or pull a fire alarm?

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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A Prayer...

Father God,

Open our eyes and hearts to see You work in our lives. Wake us up from our slumber and ignite inside our souls a passion to speak Your good news to a world that is desperately searching for the answer found in Your Son.

Soften our hearts to Your leadings.
Break our hearts for our sins.
Strenghten our hearts to face the adventures we are on.

You are magnificent. To know You for even a second is more fulfilling than a lifetime without You.

Help us be the church You are daring us to become.

In Jesus name,
Amen

One Drink Everyone Needs To Have At My Funeral

It's Friday and so let's talk about something light..my funeral.

I only have a few requests:

1. No suits
2. No stupid flowers, you guys need to be creative and come up with a technological scene with video screens and light shows.
3. A few of my favorite songs.
4. A few words from a few great men.
5. Everyone wearing spandex (I would like to bring the Angel's a chuckle as I enter Heaven).
6. Someone doing the moonwalk.
7. Swine reading a poem about how cool I am to him (which we all know he thinks).
8. A round of Chocolate Javakula's for everyone who shows up. This may be my favorite drink of all time.

If Seattle's Best closes before I die then I see no need to have a funeral in the first place since I would have already died on the inside from a broken heart.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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When I Am Afraid, I Will Trust In You...

When Barak is supposed to be going to sleep he usually finds multiple reasons as to why he needs to stay up. He wants to read, he's not tired, he has to go to the bathroom, there is too much light in the room, it's too dark, he forgot to give mom and dad a hug and a kiss, he wants to give mom and dad another kiss, whatever. He knows that he is delaying the inevitable but every night he gives it a fighting chance.

Last night as Misty was about to leave his room after tucking him in he said, "I'm scared, I want my dad." I was already reading in bed and had no plans to get back up but when Misty told me that bit of information I couldn't just do nothing. SuperDad had to do something. I got up and went into his room. He was laying there and when he saw me he sprung up as if I were helping him escape from prison. I grabbed him and laid him back on the bed. The conversation went something like this:

BAG- "I heard you were scared."
BARAK- "Yeah" he replies.
BAG- "What are you scared of?"
BARAK- "The sounds in my room."
BAG- "Barak, there is nothing in this room that will hurt you while you are sleeping, when I am afraid I like to talk to Jesus. Have you asked Him to keep protecting you?"
BARAK- "Yes, I did. Will you ask Him for me too?"

What an incredible opportunity I had with my son. He took my hand and closed his eyes as I prayed that Jesus would help Barak feel His protection and keep him safe. I prayed that Jesus would send an extra angel just so Barak wouldn't worry and I thanked Jesus for caring when we are scared. The prayer wasn't very congregationally inspiring but it may have been the most powerful prayer I have prayed in weeks.

I am reminded of a verse 3 in Psalm 56 "When I am afraid, I will trust in You."

Truth is Barak isn't the only one in our house that gets scared from time to time. The uncertainty of life can stop you in your tracks and cause you to assume the worst about your opportunities and the people around you. I don't imagine I am alone in this either.

What if, when you were afraid from the sounds in your head, you made the decision to stop and pray to God through Jesus like a 3 year old would?

Barak went to sleep last night knowing that he has a Savior that loves him and wants to protect him from even his own made up fears. So do I. So do you.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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My Back Hurts But It Is So Worth It...

Barak is a strange little boy. It's true. He is at the point now where he wakes up by himself and can get out of his room and can do whatever he wants without his parents knowing nothing about it. Misty and I are usually still asleep when he gets up. However, he gets up, heads straight into our room and if it is still to early Misty will put him in our bed where he falls back asleep for about and hour. It never fails, he cuddles up right behind me keeping me in a state of no comfort and fear that I will roll on top of him somehow crushing him.

This leaves me in some awkward positions and when I finally get up my back is tight and sore for the better part of the morning. I complain and whine and may even produce a tear. But you want to know a secret????? I LOVE IT.

I love the fact that Barak feels comfortable enough and safe enough to curl up right under my arm. I love the fact that he, if even for a few minutes, wants to be close to his dad.

I wonder if God has the same feelings when we draw close to Him?

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Sunday Lesson Recap

This past Sunday at Merger we continued on in our "Heart Invaders" series as we took a look at the invader of greed. Here are some thoughts:

*Greed says: "I owe me"

*Greed is the result of placing greater value on a possession than a person.

*Jesus on greed= Luke 12:13-21

*3 common misconceptions about greed are:
1. Greed, in my life will be obvious to me.
2. Greed is only a financial issue.
3. Having more will make me less greedy and will give me a better life.

*Greed isn't a stuff issue, it's a heart issue.

*Your life is not any more or less successful by how much stuff you can accumulate.

*An abundance of stuff does not guarantee an abundance of time.

*Eventually, everything we claim to own will be owned by somebody else. In the end it will all be given away (quite possibly in a garage sale). So to assume that everything that comes your way is for you own consumption is shortsighted and foolish. It's not a matter of if somebody will get it; it's just a matter of when and how.

*Expose greed through generosity.

*Generosity is being rich towards God and others.

*Greed is not evidenced by how you feel but by what you do. Like-wise generous feelings and good intentions do not compensate for a greedy heart.

*The giving of our finances, time, opportunities have to make an impact in our lifestyle if it is going to break the power of greed in our lives.

*Paul on being generous = 2 Corinthians 9:6-15

*Observations:
1. Being generous affects the outcome of my opportunities.
2. The attitude of my generosity matters.
3. God notices my generosity and rewards me for it, so I can in return be even more generous.
4. My generosity actually brings attention to my God.

Wrapping it up:
*Greed is bad.
*Being generous is good.
*We should ask God what He would like us to do with our extra just as much as we ask Him to supply our need.
*The key to being a church that makes a difference isn't complicated. The key is generosity; being rich towards God by being rich towards the people He is sending us to.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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What A Difference A Year Makes

I am sitting here in my usual Friday lesson preparation station at the Seatle's Best inside the Burleson Border's. My thoughts have shifted from preparing to talking about greed to a realization that it was around this time last year where some things happened that have forever changed the direction of my life.

I think it was a year ago this week where Misty and I were on vacation in Las Vegas when God moved in, through and around us when He introduced us to a man named Stewart. Stewart had been shoeless for two weeks on the hot streets of Vegas and God used us to bring him some relief. I really think He did more in us than we did for Stewart.

It was around this time last year when I really started gaining clarity and vision about planting a church in Lake Worth. In a few weeks my team and myself are going to a conference where last year God confirmed a lot of what Misty and I had been wrestling with understanding and accepting. The thought that God was calling me into the adventure that we are currently on is indescribable. I believe that God took me from something that was very good and very safe for me, and broke down that comfort while preparing us for something that will be and is great.

What a difference a year can make! God is good, I am in the middle of a grand adventure with some of my greatest friends. We are being stretched beyond our own abilities, and are needing to rely on God for our daily bread. Merge is at the genesis of really serving the schools in ways that a church can and the next few chapters in our story will be incredible.

A year ago when asked where we would be today, I could not have imagine not serving at The Ridge, living with Misty's grandma, loving Lake Worth or for that matter having the opportunity to weekly challenge people to love God through loving people.

What a difference a year can make!

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Ecclesia

I'm in the middle of laying out a series we are going to be wrestling with at Merge starting in the middle of October. It's entitled "Ecclesia- what is means to be the church". I have been thinking a lot about it over the past few months and am excited about some of the things God has been teaching me about church relevance, church mission and church action.

We the church can become so bogged down in programs and systems and things that just don't really matter, while forgetting and sometimes simply ignoring the commands from God to not build a church but to be the church.

This is going to be a great series. More details to come.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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It Shouldn't Be Lonely At The Top For A Leader

There is a great John Maxwell principle that says "If it's lonely at the top then you are doing something wrong." I find this to be so true. In leadership it is so easy to horde control, take all the responsibility for execution of the organization and call that leading. But any leader that does this long enough will find themselves in the successes of their own isolation. This may seem to appear good in the short term when the organization builds momentum and there is some growth. However through the life of the organization a leader alone at the top will eventually fail the organization.

A leader is greatly worth the value of the leaders he or she produces by taking them along with them on the journey. If it is lonely at the top it's because the leader has not either built trust with those in the organization, is unsure how to lead the organization to the next level, wants control (this will prohibit other leaders growing under the main leader and will eventually lead to a shortage of leaders) or really believes that they are better off doing it all on their own.

All this boils down to a simple math equation:
1 leader x 1 effort = 1 result
2 leaders x 2 efforts = the power of 4 results

I am not math genius but two people leading seems to produce more results than doing it on your own. Now imagine a leader committed to developing a staff with this in mind.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Sunday Morning Recap

Here is a look into the lesson we went through at Merge this past Sunday. The recording should be up shortly on the website (www.mergecommunitychurch.com). A lot of this information is credited to Andy Stanley and his book, "It Came From Within".

*What is in our heart will eventually surface in our thoughts, words and actions.

*The condition of your heart will shape the environment in which you live.
If you have and unhealthy heart, it will not be long before you find yourself in an unhealthy environment dealing with unhealthy issues around unhealthy people.

*Invader Spotlight: ANGER
It's the invader that is produced after a person receives a wound (small or large), but because the wound never heals properly it has now taken control and has left that person allowing anger to direct their lives.

*Anger is the result in a process of unresolved issues not being dealt with in a healthy manner.

*Anger says "YOU owe ME"

*Anger is not the result of what happened to you and it's not your response in your excuse of saying "That's just the way I am". Anger is a choice you make in the person you are becoming. You become an angry person, not because of your circumstances. But because you allow anger to take root in the chambers of your heart.

*Anger produces more anger, not less.

*Expose anger through: FORGIVENESS.

*Forgiveness = CANCELED DEBT

*If you are keeping a running tally on how many times you show mercy and grant forgiveness then I think you have a pretty messed up view on mercy and forgiveness.

*We love the idea of a God willing to forgive us for the wrongs we have done to Him, but hate the idea of forgiving people for the wrongs they have done to us. Jesus looks at us and says "You have two choices that will have dramatically different results in your life. One option will allow you to help another experience freedom and the other will place you in a prison. They choice is yours."

*4 Steps of Forgiveness
1. Identify with whom you are angry.
2. Determine what they owe you.
3. Cancel the debt.
4. Dismiss the case.

*How long are you going to let the people who have hurt you dictate how you relate to those who haven't?

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Joy thoughts...

"Joy is something that we have to choose and then work for. Like the ability to run for an hour, it doesn't come automatically. It needs cultivation."
-----Francis Chan "Crazy Love"

Boy, does this ring true in my life. Joy can be very elusive in my heart. Not because of anything it does, but what I do to it. I will allow things like worry, doubt, uncertainty and fear take the megaphone for the inner speakings of my soul. Anytime I do this, I muzzle the freedom of living in joy.

Joy has to be protected as the precious treasure that it is. It is the gateway to seeing this world, these people, our circumstances and possibilities in a very healthy and very different way. We must choose to cultivate joy so it's roots form deep into the marrow of our souls. Do this and you will be one step closer to experiencing life to the fullest.

So what are you doing to cultivate joy in your life?

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Steps For Creating A Culture Of Discipline (by Jim Collins)

"Steps from Good to Great, p.124"

Creating a Culture of Discipline

1. Build a culture around the idea of freedom and responsibility, within a framework.

2. Fill that culture with self-disciplined people who are willing to go to extreme lengths to fulfill their responsibilities. They will "rinse their cottage cheese".

3. Don't confuse a culture of discipline with a tyrannical disciplinarian.

4. Adhere with great consistency to the Hedgehog Concept, exercising an almost religious focus on the intersection of the three circles. Equally important, create a "stop doing list" and systematically unplug anything extraneous.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Sermon on the Mount Thoughts

I've been spending the past few days reading through the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7. Jesus deals with many issues that we wrestle with in our lives. From how we should treat each other, to how to see money, to how to pray, to how not to worry, to how we get into heaven and many many more insights for living.

It is so easy to read these words as ancient text and not for practical living. Jesus Christ son of God is telling you how to live life to the fullest in these words. He is speaking into the conflicts of your soul, exposing your dysfunctions and revealing a life worth living.

"Father, thank You for Your Word."

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Sunday Lesson Recap

I want to start making it a point on Tuesday to doing a quick recap on the lesson we learned the previous Sunday at MCC. We are in the middle of a series we entitled "Heart Invaders", Sunday we focused on the invader of guilt. Here are some thoughts:

---What comes out of the mouth comes from the heart.

---What is in our hearts will eventually surface in our thoughts, words and actions.

---The condition of your heart will shape the environment in which you live.
"If you have an unhealthy heart it will not be long before you find yourself in an unhealthy environment dealing with unhealthy issues around unhealthy people"

---"Above all else guard your heart, for it effects everything you do." Proverbs 4:23 NLT

---Guilt says "I owe you"

---Guilt will make it difficult to trust others.

---Guilt will create a culture of suspicion.

---Guilt in one relationship will poison all other relationships.

---Guilt loses it's hold when exposed through CONFESSION.

---Confession must precede forgiveness.

---The purpose of confession is not to relieve your conscience but to bring change and reconciliation.
"If you start confessing your sins to the people you have offended, odds are that you will start avoiding being a repeat offender."

"Guilty people are usually repeat offenders. And as long as you are carrying a secret, as long as you are trying to ease your conscience by telling God how sorry you are, you are setting yourself up to repeat the past."---Andy Stanley

---Until you confess to all parties involved, guilt will continue to linger in those relationships.
"Truth is...you can not resolve your differences with God if you are unwilling to resolve your issues with the people around you."

Next week....ANGER

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Saturday Night Prayer

Father,
In the morning as we meet to worship You with our lives I pray that Your Spirit would be overwhelming. That the lesson You have placed in my heart would have little insight from me and all inspiration from You.

I pray for the people that will be joining in worship with me. I acknowledge that they are there because of Your divine plan. Help me be satisfied with the ones that are there and not focus in the ones that aren't.

Help us draw closer to the amazing reality of Your love as it collides with the mess of our lives.

We love You.
In Jesus name
Amen

Words Worth Chewing On...

"Our greatest fear as individuals and as a church should not be of failure but of succeeding at things in life that don't really matter."
----Tim Kizziar

What a true statement. There is a danger in each of us to invest time and energy in matters that when held up to the scope of reality don't matter much at all. As individuals we work extra hours to buy cars and houses we can barely afford to keep up with the Jones's. We put in the hours to get the promotion that only takes us further away from our families and the ones we really have an opportunity to influence. We lower the bar of our standards so low that a simple step exceeds our own expectations.

It gets even worse when it comes to churches... we think things like facilities are our greatest challenges, we act like giving God some of our left over money is something to be proud of and being cordial to a rude person is worthy of self praise.

Have we set the bar so low that even Satan isn't worried when we succeed in our own eyes?

I don't mean to be a people or church basher, but when I look in through the scope of my own life these are some of the issues I internalize. They are the ones that I wrestle with. It is entirely possible to have a 'good' life and not play any role in the story God is telling. This has to be the danger that we avoid as Christians and the church. Good can be the enemy of great.

(I realize this is a bit heavy for a Friday post but I am feeling a bit honory.)

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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The Stand

I have a lot of stuff going on today between Merge Night and Heart Invaders Lesson prep but I wanted to share with you the lyrics of a song we have been doing at Merge the past two weeks that is quickly becoming one of my favorite songs. If you haven't heard it I recommend you buy it on ITUNES. If you don't know what I am talking about when I say ITUNES, I think you need to crawl out from under the rock you are living under

The song is entitled, "The Stand" it is on the Hillsong United "United We Stand" album:

You stood before creation
Eternity in Your hands
You spoke the earth into motion
My soul not to stand

You stood before my failure
And carried the cross for my shame
My sin weighed upon Your shoulders
My soul now to stand

So I'll walk upon salvation
Your Spirit alive in me
This life to declare Your promise
My soul now to stand

So what can I say?
And what could I do?
But offer this heart, Oh God
Completely to You

I'll stand
With arms his and heart abandoned
In awe of the one who gave it all
I'll stand
My soul Lord to You surrendered
All I am is Yours

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Merge Night Thoughts

I have been preparing for Merge Night (this Sunday night) for the past few months but have been fine tuning the past few days.

I am blown away at the opportunities to serve this community our church actually has. We have some great things in store for us and I am confident we are going to see God move through us in some incredible ways.

Hopefully the things we are going to be striving for this ministry season will inspire and challenge people to experience God in some new ways.

Only time will tell but I do know this....God is good and when we think larger than ourselves we really get to see Him at work.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Verse Worth Memorizing

"Above all else guard your heart.
For it effects everything you do"
---Proverbs 4:23 NLT

8 Minutes

That's his long I gave the new show on Fox "Hole In The Wall". Apparently they have run out of even bad ideas. This was in a class all to itself. I am thinking about pitching an idea for a show. 3 contestants live their lives as normal as usual, cameras follow them around and at the end of the day they see just how much belly button lint they accumulated. First on to one pound wins.

If they will run Hole In The Wall surely they will be open to my suggestion.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Word Of God Speak

I have been have an unsually difficult time this week digging into the Word of God. I'm not really sure why but as I sat down this morning to read I realized that I haven't really been paying attention to the chapters and verses of this week and I'm pretty sure I missed a day or two. (I know, the thought of a pastor doing this is appauling. I am sure you never do anything like this).

Truth is, I haven't really been to busy (which is the universal excuse for not reading). I have had plenty of time to do things that are far less important. I have spent multiple blocks of time this week checking my fantasy football teams, reading blogs, watching t.v., playing Madden 09, reading books, texting for no reason, and sleeping.

I just haven't made it a priority this week. And something has to change. God's Word is living and active and speaks into the opportunities, circumstances and confusion of our lives...of my life. It has rescued me from danger, enlightened my path and shown me a life that I thought I could only dream of.

Now, I'm not planning on any knee jerk reaction to get back on track. I'm not going to spend 8 hours today reading Leviticus or anything. But I will stop, open up my Bible, ask God to speak to me in ways that only He can, and I will listen to the voice that loves me so much.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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The Hedghog Concept

I am currently going through the book "Good To Great" by Jim Collins. It is most definitely filling my leadership geekness cup to the full line. Jim's team did an exhaustive systematic look at what the differences are in companies that are just good and the ones that are great.

The chapter I am currently in deals with the "Hedgehog Concept", which is basically saying that the great companies know the one thing they can do well and stick to that. This concept works well with one of my core values, "BREAK EVERYTHING DOWN TO IT'S MOST SIMPLE ELEMENT".

As reading he offers three revealing questions in how to discover your inner hedgehog. I think this really applies well in asking ourselves how we can live the life of our dreams.

Here they are (minor adjustments made to adapt for a person):
What are you deeply passionate about?
What can you be the best in the world at?
What can you do that will bring you the most return for your efforts?

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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New Series This Sunday At MCC

I am really excited about the series we are starting at MCC this weekend. Heart Invaders is one of my most favorite topics to discuss and wrestle with. I believe that we all deal with guilt, anger, greed and jealousy. Unfortunately, so many times we mishandle these emotions and they reveal themselves in some very damaging ways.

My prayer over these next 5 weeks is that the Holy Spirit will expose these emotions in us and not allow us to hide them any longer. Because as we will see, the longer you try to hide them the more powerful they become.

These next few weeks are going to be good.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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One Powerful Word

I met with the social worker for the Lake Worth ISD today. Her name is Adelita and she seems to be a really good person to get to know. She gave me some thank you cards the kids of the schools we donated school supplies for as a church.

Most of the cards had a simple word on them that makes such a big difference......THANKS.

It's a powerful word. You should make it a point to tell some one that today.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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The End Of The World?????

I realize there are occasions in life where a few groups of people may think that we are close to seeing the end of the world. The debate usually springs up when new global leaders are established (Pope, United Nations, President, Oprah, etc). I have even heard cases being made for end times when countries go to war. To be honest with you, I have always viewed the end of the world debate as something we will know when it comes. Until then, it's just a guess, I mean every generation since Jesus has thought that what was going on around them would lead to the desctruciton of the world as we know it. It has become a topic for me that really never comes to any different conlcusion other than, "WE WILL JUST HAVE TO SEE."

Until today...........

The New Kids On The Block have come out with a new album. I thought at first it was a remake of their older stuff. But I was wrong. This is totally new recordings with songs like: Sexify My Love (I'm not even sure that is legal in Texas), Put It On My Tab (maybe this is insight in their need to stage a come back) and Stare at You (that sounds both creepy and the beginning of a restraining order).

I wonder if there is an end time scholar doing research on this. I think I remember something in Revelations about when the Hanging Tough boys mount a come back a meteor will fall from the sky ending the suffering of all those who buy the albums.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Sunday Morning Thoughts

It's almost midnight. Sunday morning is approaching and I am laying in this bed thinking about the morning. I love Sundays!!!

In fact it's the only day of the week that I don't mind waking up to an alarm to. I realize for most people alarms for the weekends are more of a pain than a pleasure but for me it's different.

In about 10 hours I will join in song and prayer with some of my greatest friends and fellow journeyers (I think I made that word up). We will be challenged by God's word and hopefully encourage each other on in our pursuit to do everything in love.

Sunday's are special to me because it reminds me that there are incredible adventures on the horizon and God is so good to me.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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