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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When A Three Year Old Tackles You...

This morning when I woke up Barak was watching some T.V. and eating some yogurt (his normal routine). I sat down next to him and asked him what he was up to and he gave me the "are you blind or just dumb look?" I smiled and gave him a kiss and started catching up on the exploits of "Casper the Friendly Ghost" with him. It was but a few seconds later when he sat his yogurt down, stood up and lunged at me. He tackled me (at least he thinks he did).

As I laid there with him on top of me he said, "I win, I'm strong, I'm a big boy!!!!" I couldn't help but smile and agree with him. We wrestled for a few minutes and I changed clothes to get going. But that moment lingers and fills my heart with joy.

It is important to me that Barak sees me as his biggest fan and that he knows I believe in him so much. I want him to believe in himself, that he can win, that he is strong and that he is growing into becoming a big boy. (Even though he really can't tackle me, I don't see any harm in keeping that our little secret.)

This exchange this morning leaves me thinking how many other people in my life can I play a similar role with? How many people can I partner with in adventure and when I am doing the majority the work let them think they are? Who can I reach out to and reaffirm that I believe in them the same way they believe in themselves? Maybe even more.

Life is more fulfilling when lived in adventure and community. Find someone today and let them tackle you (even if it only happens because you let it---we will keep that our little secret.)

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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The Geronimo Line!!!

I remember as a kid going to the General Dynamics community swimming pool (now it's the Lockeed Martin pool). Back then you could jump off one of the platforms into the pool. I will never forget the excitement of waiting in line to climb the ladder to get to the platform. Then the fear once you made it and your toes were dangling over the concrete slab. Man, I hated that feeling. I remember looking over the edge and the water being what seems like a mile away with the strange glisten of concrete awaiting my arrival.

You look up and notice that there are a lot of people looking at you (maybe they weren't but you feel they are). You think that lifeguard just blew his whistle as a warning for you to get off or he will be forced to shoot you off the platform. The kids below are getting restless and you hear the most feared word of all little boys "CHICKEN!!!"

For me going back down was not an option, but neither was jumping from the edge. So what I had to do was take about 8 steps back and just go for it. Run so fast that your momentum won't let you rethink it, even if you wanted to. I call this point, "THE GERONIMO LINE".

Truth is, I still face moments like this on the platforms of life. Times when our fears will try to prohibit the adventure we are am on. When the fears in our heads exaggerate what the water looks like and how other people will view us. When you know the reward is greater than the risk but you still hesitate.

Now, I'm not saying that all fear is bad. In fact, I believe that fear can be a proper motivator and protector at times. But fear that keeps you from going on God-sized adventures can be the most damaging fear of all. Because every time you give in you loose a little piece of the spark that makes you incredible.

Any adventure that is worth going on will require more from you than you thought you had in you. It will require you to cross a "Geronimo Line", where you have to jump and get passed the point of no return. You can choose not to and end up with a very good, very safe existence. OR... you can jump, screaming, arms flailing, deep into an adventure that sees good as the enemy of great and helps you get just one step closer to the person you are meant to be and the life you are called to live.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Back from Blocation

Misty, Barak and I spent the later part of last week in San Antonio. We saw the Alamo, ate on the Riverwalk, stayed at the Emily Morgan hotel and had way too much ice cream. But the main attraction happened on Friday when we went to Sea World. Barak had been talking about it for weeks and hasn't stopped since.

Sea Word is such a cool place for a boy from Azle. The enormity of the whales and the uniqueness of the other sea animals is just incredible. However, that wasn't what made this trip to Sea World special.

What made this special was that it was an adventure we went on with our little boy. He had so much fun and seeing him experience God's sea creation was simply a joy. My favorite part of our day was when we were heading to the dolphin tank. He grabbed my hand and said "Come on daddy, let's go see the dolphins". Then we took off running.

The picture above is Misty catching the scene in action. Today as I was uploading the pictures I thought this one didn't look like the way I remembered it. For me the scene was much more surreal and rewarding. I remember holding my son's hand into what he believes to be a grand adventure (I wonder if God feels that same way when we hold his hand). In that moment, everything fades and I am filled with joy because my son wants to do life with me. For me the scene looked like this:



Heart and Soul,
BAG
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I'm Going On Blocation

My family and I are heading out of town for a few days. I have decided to not take my laptop. For a guy like me this is like not wearing clothes out in public. I ask for your prayers and support during what will most likely be a difficult period in my life:).

I'll see you in a few days.

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

"Creating the life of your dreams probably isn't about leaving a life of crime and reforming to an ideal citizen. Most of us haven't been that inventive in our sinfulness. It's really about leaving a life of security and certainty and expecting more from the life that God created you to live. I wonder if for many of us, the only thing stopping us from living the life God created us to live--- the life of our dreams--- is to let go of a life so good that it betrays the great."

----Erwin McMcannus in "Wide Awake" p.105-106

Love Experiment

1 Corinthians 16:14
"Do everything in love."

This is quickly becoming one of the most challenging verses that I have ever come across in God's Word. What would it look like if you just tried this for one day? How would people receive you? What kind of a difference would it make?

Truth is.. This isn't so much a good idea or a noble pursuit. It is an instruction for the kind of people God is calling us to be and transforming us into. If you aren't growing in your capacity to love then I don't think you are growing in your relationship with your Heavenly Father.

Put His word into the application of your life this week. Carry the actions of love into everything you do. When you get to this Saturday take a few moments and take stock in how much more fulfilling your week was because you were determined to let love win.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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240 School Supply Bags...

Today we delivered the school supplies that Merge is providing for the kindergarten and 1st grades of Miller and Marine Creek Elementary schools. It was quite the little adventure. I am pretty sure we used an entire checkbook in trips to Wal-Mart, 20 people showed up last night to assemble the bags, I jumped in the dumpster 4 times to make room for boxes and now we are on to the next project.

The total cost of this adventure was $6,000.00, it was made possible by the Community Tithe we take at Merge. I am so grateful for the willingness and the sacrifice of the people that our on this current journey with me. I could not ask for more.

My heart is grateful for what we have been able to do.
My heart is expectant to see God water the seeds we have planted.
My heart is excited to see what's next.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Everyone Needs A Paul/Jessie

One of the most interesting relationships in scripture, to me, is the one shared between Paul and Timothy. In the two letters addressed to the young protege, Paul's love for and desire to see Timothy succeed and grow past his greatest dreams is evident. The bond they shared has stood the test of time and we are a large product of their relationship.

Everyone needs a Paul. Everyone needs someone that will encourage, challenge, kick your butt, help set a vision that is greater than your reach, remind you what matters most, is committed to your development outside of what they get in return, defend you when you are attacked, run alongside you as you dream big, and most importantly....love you with no conditions.

I am so blessed to have a man like that in my life. His name is Jessie Simon and he has played such an important role in the man I am today. Every once in a while he will write me into his blog and I can't help but smile and acknowledge that all those compliments he is paying me is in larger part of his willingness to allow me on the journey as a young 20 year old and his continual coaching to this present moment. (if you don't read his blog, you should...especially the postings about me. I think it's his greatest literary work).

Here is the thing... you need a Jessie/Paul. You need someone that will help you develop into the person you can be. If you don' t you will progress much slower and live more lonely than what is necessary.

I love Jessie Simon in ways that I don't think you could understand. Our relationship has gone from Armor Bearer and Jonathan, to Paul and Timothy, to David and Jonathan. His effort into my life has left me scarred by love and I am forever grateful for it.

"Father, thank You for sending me someone that believes I can be the best You want me to be."


Heart and Soul,
BAG
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4 Things I Learned While Buying School Supplies Today...

Today, we set out to buy school supplies for Kindergarten and 1st graders of two elementary schools in our community. We started at 9:00 a.m. and I am just now returning home (7:00 p.m.). Three Wal-Mart's and we still have some more to go to tomorrow. While purchasing almost $5,000.00 dollars of school supplies, I learned 4 things....

1. The register's at Wal-Mart only scan 620 items before it forces you to total out the transaction. (I really felt for Chris the cashier as he was scanning every package of the 567 crayons we picked up).

2. When you are pushing around 567 packages of crayons people assume you know where the shampoo is.

3. Apparently 16 carts full of supplies is a site to be seen. (Even the employee's thought it was impressive.)

4. If there is ever a need to stock pile school supplies in a bunker in the event of an alien invasion, Wal-Mart can give you the best price.

This week we are going to deliver school supplies for 230 kids. This is an incredibly amazing thing the people of Merge are doing. I applaud their sacrifice and can't wait to see the seeds God plants because of this.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Confessions Of A Casual Christian 2

I choose comfort over calling more times than I like.

It's true. There are so many times in my life when I know that I am being called to step out and live and incredible God-inspired, God-enabling adventure; but because I enjoy comfort, I choose to pass on the opportunity.

Here is the thing...God is going to get it done with or without me. What He wants to see is my willingness to accept the call and live in the adventure of life with Him. He wants me to acknowledge times when I am serious about being led by Him and times when I am just blowing smoke.

I am good at having a restless heart but muzzling it with a comfortable body. I choose comfort because I know it well...to well I am afraid. I know it slows my progress down and I am still willing at times to settle.

God has called all of us on adventures of epic proportions.

Are you living for your defining moment or your lazy boy?

Truth is, God includes us because He wants us to see Him for who He is and help us see that the life of comfort we all strive for is not as fulfilling as tv live He offers in being totally alive and wide awake.

"Father, help me live the adventure you are writing in my heart."

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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I Want A Gold Medal

I'm sitting here on a Saturday afternoon studying and watching the olympics. Nancy and I have decided to go into training for the next time they role around. Does anyone know if couples puzzle making is in the summer or winter olympics?

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Catalytic Reminders

"So Joshua called together the twelve men he had appointed from the Israelites, one from each tribe, and said to them, "Go over before the ark of the Lord your God into the middle of the Jordan. Each of you is to take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, 'What do you these stones mean?' tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever."
-----Joshua 4:4-7

Do you have stones like this in your life? Reminders of when God delivered, protected, provided or even worked in a supernatural way? A few books later we will see Samuel doing a similar thing and calling the stones his 'Ebenezer'. A visual reminder that the Lord has brought him thus far.

I think it is important to acknowledge moments like this because the serve as life mile markers that catapult us into some of the greatest adventures we have ever been on. They can sustain you through dark chapters and encourage you in the difficult ones.

Take some time today and think about times in your life that serve as memorials of God great work in your life and thank Him for His incredible gift.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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I Used Power Tools Today

Today I helped build a stage. (If you know me I will give you a moment to stop laughing and dry your eyes.)

I must admit, there was a lot of sweat, some head scratching, a few drops of blood and a couple of tears.

Then Mark showed me how to plug the drill in and things started getting easier.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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One Shot

If you had one shot today to change someone's life (anyone's life) what would you do? What would you need to prepare in order to help them? How would you go about it? Would it cost you much more than just your time? What do you think would be the result of changing their life? What are you afraid of? If helping them had no effect on how people see you, would you still help? What kind of spill over effect do you think could happen?

If you could change someone's life today, would you?

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Next Level Living

"The skills and competencies and experiences you've had in the past will not be enough for every challenge you will face in the future. They are enough to prepare you, but not enough to sustain you. You must build on the past but live for the future."

----- Erwin McMannus "Wide Awake" p. 64

I would recommend that you stop right now are reread that quote until it resonates within you. Mr. McMannus has just told us a very important truth about going to the next level in living life. In order to go to the next level relationally, emotionally, physically, spiritually, will require you to assemble new skill sets to face new challenges that will arise. I am just dork enough to use the illustration of video games so here goes:

Every good video game will start you out as a beginner but will not let you survive very long at that spot. Your character has to develop, become stronger, smarter, be able to take more hits, learn to use different weapons, etc. As your character grows so does the difficulty of the game and especially level bosses. If you character doesn't grow, it will never survive past level one (imagine being stuck forever in level one...stuck in the same life over and over again....I unfortunately think I know people like this.)

I think there is a few sermons in this illustration but I think only dorks like myself would really appreciate it's beauty:) But I think you get the point. Life should be a continual search in growing smarter, wiser, stronger. Using the tools you currently have in pursuit of gaining the ones that are just on the horizon. Being able to take on bigger challenges because the ones in your past have helped you develop into the person you are today.

Bottom line...in order to go to the next level in your life, you have to be willing to go on the adventure and the battle that will get you there.

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

"Seeing a problem only let's you know where your limits are if you don't solve it. Problems, obstacles, and challenges can either become the markers of our limits and limitations, or they can become the springboard into a whole new world."

----Erwin McMannus "Wide Awake" p.45

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Big Shoes To Fill

Yesterday I finished reading Ephesians and decided today that I would jump into the Old Testament book of Joshua. I am really drawn to his story because I feel that I can appreciate certain aspects of his leadership development in my current season. It is safe to say that Joshua had some big shoes to fill. The last guy in his position brought a nation out of slavery, parted a sea and if that weren't enough came down with some commandments written by the finger of God.

I love the first chapter of Joshua's book because we see God include Joshua in an incredible adventure. I think if you pay attention, God will do the same for you.

Here is a few things I pick up from this chapter:

v.2
"Moses my servant is dead. NOW THEN, you..."
GOD BRINGS YOU INTO HIS STORY FOR A PURPOSE.

v.3
"I will give you every place YOU SET YOUR FOOT..."
IN ORDER TO PURSUE YOUR ROLE, YOU MUST PUT ACTION TO YOUR DESIRES.

v.5
"As I was with Moses, SO I WILL BE WITH YOU..."
IN SUCCESS AND STRUGGLE REMEMBER THE SOURCE OF YOUR STRENGTH.

v.6
"Be strong and courageous BECAUSE you will lead..."
ONLY WHEN WE EMBRACE GOD'S CALLING ON YOUR LIFE WILL YOU NEED GOD-INSPIRED COURAGE.

v.9
"your God will be with you WHEREVER YOU GO."
WHEN WE ARE PURSUING OUR ROLE IN GOD'S STORY, HE IS ALWAYS NEAR.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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