Generosity

Next week (June 8th), I am preaching on generosity, with one big emphasis being on the attitude of our giving, that God loves a cheerful giver. So I'd like to pose a question to you (to hear your comments)...

When was the last time you gave a gift that made a difference in the life of someone else? The gift could've been time, money, some item, etc.

On the flip side, when were you given a gift that was extraordinarily generous and done with love?

Share some stories...

"I'm bored"

Seriously, these words have already been uttered by our children. And summer break JUST started! :) But alas, they are gifted with a wonderful, creative mother who generates idea after idea for them to stay busy with. I, on the other hand, tend to leave my creativity at 'go play outside.'

Because with our kids:
Idle + Bored + Eli = Pesty and bothersome little brother
Idle + Bored + Maddy = Mopey and trodding around the house with no purpose daughter

So tonight after supper, Heather had the brilliant idea to brainstorm as a family, creative things the kids can do on their own, both together or separate.

Some ideas from the kids...TV, computer, video games...met with Heather's comment of..."If you read for 20 minutes, you can play for 20 minutes on the computer. Reading is how you'll earn computer time." Man, I married a smart one. I'd never think of that.

Some ideas from the parents...sweep, dust, clean the bathrooms...met with 'UGH' from the kids. I personally love these...and added 'sweep the deck' onto the list.

Combined ideas that we all agreed on...playhouse, tree swing, ride bikes, read, play school, kickball, magnet lawn dart game, sidewalk chalk, sand box, hopscotch, etc. I'm typing up the whole list tonight, and then (hopefully) the kids will be able to use this list rather than the dreaded "I'm bored" quote.

What creative ideas do you have to help keep your kids busy over the summer?

Communication

There are days, even weeks sometimes, that I feel like all I do is communicate. I write this email. Post this blog thought. Call this person. Update this website. Take notes from this podcast. Listen to this person. Encourage that person. Tell this person.

In my mind though, an effective church needs to be EXCELLENT at communication. They need to somehow overcome the obstacle that all churches face...that there is limited 'face-time' with the Body. That you've got to create avenues for people to hear what is going on, in a way that bridges the face-time gap. You've got to put tools in front of people, so they can know as much about the church and its events as they want to know. People are up on what they know about, and down on what they don't know about. You've got to create ways to cast vision, beyond just verbally, and make it sticky along the way.

All this talk of communication though makes me think about our relationship with God. You know, we spend so much time communicating with friends, co-workers, volunteers, family, etc. And we place that as a priority in our days, don't we? Email dings...we respond. Phone rings...we pick it up.

But are we placing an even greater priority in our communication with our Heavenly Father? Are we taking the time to hear from Him in prayer and getting into the Bible? Are we taking the time to listen and be silent before Him? Something to chew on this week as you go about your daily lives.

Why I love my church...

Here is one reason why I love the people in my church...

A little over a week ago, I sent out an email to the Body about a transportation need that a family had in Eureka. A mom wanted to start coming to Crosspoint, and bring her 3 children, but didn't have access to a car on Sunday mornings. I put out the need on an email...and within a day, some within hours, I had 5 families offer up their services to drive this family to and from church.

And on the surface, that may seem like such a small thing, but to me, it is a HUGE thing. It demonstrates the heart of these people that they 'get it.' They get why Crosspoint exists. Crosspoint doesn't exist for the comfort of Christians, or to just become yet another church that meets the needs of its members while forgetting the world that is in need 'out there.' We exist to IMPACT the world, both locally and around the world, one family, one person at a time.

And by reaching out to this family, we are doing that. This type of stuff is where the rubber meets the road in our faith. Are we willing to go beyond just receiving from a church, being blessed by a church, or being 'fed' by a church? Are we willing to go to the point in our relationships with Christ, where we are giving first, blessing others first, and feeding others first in order to be used completely by Christ?

Something to think about as you go about your life this week. And to those who volunteered to reach out. Thank you! And if others want to get involved, let me know, and I can hook you up.

Good posts from this week

A blog set up for SCC's daughter who died this past week.

This one is from Steven Furtick awhile back...I love it though, and think it applied to much of my Christian life, as well as, many Christians today. Plus challenges me to serve up the Word hot and fresh when I preach.

I can relate to Furtick's post about IT. That anytime I preach, I question myself, what is the one IT that needs to be relayed from His Word to His Body. And then scour through my message making sure IT is communicated clearly. And then pray for people to get IT.

I love Gary Lamb...I want Crosspoint to be a church that will do WHATEVER it takes to reach people.

Vince always challenges me on my perspective in reaching out. May Tony's short notes from Vince's talk at WIBO challenge you.

Which, in speaking about WIBO...I'm working on laying down my jealously toward those who were able to attend. :)

Happy Birthday Blog!

This here blog turned 1 yesterday. A year ago, May 21, 2007, it was announced at Crosspoint that I would be coming on staff full-time in August.

Tragedy

Heather ran across this story on a blog tonight. Please be in prayer for Steven Curtis Chapman's family. A very tragic accident. Makes my heart hurt.

Prince Caspian

Heather and I took Maddy and Eli to watch Prince Caspian tonight, as a celebration of Maddy's birthday.

AWESOME! We all loved it. The parallels to our Christian walks and the Biblical themes in the movie are tremendous. It would be cool to do a message series or a small group study unpacking the Biblical truths that some of the movie represents. Pride, sin, salvation, our Savior, leadership. So much good stuff.

Heather has been reading the actual story to the kids, one chapter per night, so it was neat to see the kids understand the plot and characters as the movie unfolded.

Alright, that is your movie recommendation for the night. Anyone else seen it yet?

Happy Birthday Maddy!

Our Maddy turns 9 today! I can't believe she is already that old. That is halfway to 18 already!!! Crazy. We are taking her and Eli out to see Prince Caspian tonight, and then she is having a couple friends over tomorrow night for a slumber party.

Here are some pics that Heather has snapped lately...

Bulls get top pick!

This is a beautiful thing...Bulls get the top pick in this year's draft. :)

So who would you pick?

The Year was 1990...

When I graduated from Eureka Middle School. Eureka's 8th grade class graduates tonight, and I'll be attending a couple parties here in town.

I remember when I graduated, I got a big 'boombox' for my gift. Complete with CD player, detachable speakers, and 'dual cassette' deck, baby. With that dual cassette, you could dub your buddy's Milli Vanilli cassette (and yeah, I had that one). It was sweet!!

Ah...we've come so far in 18 years. :) Check out what else was happening in 1990.

So do you remember what you got when you graduated from 8th grade?

What were you doing in 1990?

Touching them all

My brother-in-law sent this video to me last week. Many of you might've seen it already. I remember seeing a quick highlight of it on local news, but this 5 minute video showing the complete story is well worth your time.

Stuff like this is why I love sports, why I love being a coach, and what I would hope my own kids might do someday, if they were placed in the same situation.

Video

Sunday night download

- What a beautiful weekend! Grilled out and played some baseball with Eli this afternoon. I'm learning to carve out time when it is there to get some quality time with the family.
- This morning, I taught on the beauty of God and how we are called to fix our eyes on it AND reflect it on our lives. It stretched me in my research and study for the message. Enjoyed that.
- Graduation day here in Eureka. Enjoyed a couple parties this afternoon and evening.
- I love how Crosspoint has been blessed with some great musicians. Thanks to all for using your gifts and abilities.
- Maddy turns 9 this week! That is halfway to 18...crazy how time flies.
- 4 days left of school...all you parents ready?!
- Heather and I got the deck washed and sealed this weekend. A big project to get done. If we ever build or move...a concrete patio or maintenance free decking will be the choice. :)
- Looking forward to our teaching series this summer as we'll be working our way through 1 Thessalonians as a church. Great applicable stuff for our church right now.
- Having the kids' family birthday party this coming Sunday. Looking forward to it. And wouldn't you know there are some home projects to get beforehand. :)

Great verses on money

Our small group just finished up a 6 week series on money, called LOST. It was great chance to talk debt, giving, saving, and everything in between on how God calls us to manage our money. I wanted to share the five verses that we memorized as a group dealing with money.

These are great ones to hide in your heart:

Matthew 6:21
Proverbs 21:5
Malachi 3:10
Luke 16:13
1 Timothy 6:6

Leadership and Influence

Over the past few months (really since February, because I had these themes on my glass board), I have been learning that as a leader, it is critical that I walk in humility and authenticity.

Recently, someone asked me to do something for them, and I totally blew it. I wrote it down, and then, sadly, completely forgot. (sidenote: if there is one quality I want to reflect, it is dependability, and so the fact I forgot really torqued me off).

I was reminded of it a few weeks later, and finally did what they had asked of me. That is good and all, but here is the extra step that I'm learning that is key...I called him up tonight to share that I had totally forgotten, finally took care of it last week, and that I'm sorry I didn't do it sooner. Now I'm not looking to be a doormat, or sell my time to the highest bidder, BUT...

I do feel as a leader, I am called to gain influence with others, to model a humble heart, and to truly love the people that God has called me to shepherd.

John Maxwell has said that "All leadership is influence." In our human minds, we feel the best way to gain influence is by having all the answers, accomplishing the task by ourselves, and then showing off the work at the end. From Scripture and looking at Christ's model, I'd say the way to gain influence is about, among others, listening, loving, walking in humility, and being authentic with your life.

If we fail to do the hard and humble work of gaining influence, then we will struggle to lead, those who we are called to.

Stress relief

Have you ever thought about the activities you choose to do when you have stress in your life? I think it is healthy to have some 'releases' in your life, that allow your mind to rest and that re-charge and re-energize you. Here are some of mine...

- Date my wife.
- Go swimming with the family.
- Hang out with friends.
- Play basketball.
- Mow my yard...did that this week...it was very therapeutic. :)
- Work on a project around the house.
- Watch TV, like say...The Office...did that too this week...you need to find things that make you laugh...
- Play my guitar.
- Read a good book. Like this one right now.
- Play a sport or take a bike ride with the kids.

What kind of things do you have in your life that relieve stress?

Monday musings

- Here is Eli's theology quote from the weekend..."I know who God likes, the Cardinals!" Amen, son. Sorry all you Cubbie fans...looks like Almighty God is on our side. :)
- I preach this coming Sunday on God's beauty. It is really challenging me, because the topic is outside my 'comfort zone.' The more I work on it though and dig into some verses, the more excited I get about it.
- I hope to work in some of a U2 video into my message...you wonder how that fits? It will make sense on Sunday. :)
- Had a good weekend of Mother's Day celebrations and get togethers. It is after a weekend like that, that I appreciate our close location to parents and siblings.
- 9 days left before school gets out! Make that 8 by the time this post is completed.
- Our pool is absolutely freezing. Seriously, it can warm up outside anytime now.
- Happy Birthday to my friend Brad today! He is 29 I believe.
- God is growing me in trusting Him fully right now. I sometimes want to guess at the future or what might happen down the road. I'm learning rather that I am called to walk closely with Him. That as I line up my life with scripture and walk in obedience, He'll direct my steps.
- Maddy has her first piano recital this coming Saturday, and Eli has a school program on Wednesday. May is a busy month, but I love all the opportunities to watch my kids in various activities in and outside of school.
- Joel (and others) are doing a skit for my message on Sunday. Joel's got a gift, and I love to use it. :) Thanks for sharing it with our Body Joel!
- I personally appreciate these plays from NBA action this past weekend. Block 1. Block 2. Block 3. I love great defense.

Happy Mother's Day

I'm so thankful for my wife this Mother's Day. She is an incredible mom to our two children, and I learn so much from the way she leads her life. Here are some things I'm thankful for when it comes to my wife, Heather, on this Mother's Day:

- She is my best friend, and that might sound trite or cliche, but it is the honest truth. I'd go anywhere with her.
- She seeks to know when to listen, when to pray, when to challenge, when to speak, and everything in between when it comes to knowing how to respond to my new role as a pastor.
- She is ultra-patient with our kids, and I need that balance in my life as a dad.
- She looks to build into the character of our children, and parents to the heart, and not just an outward robotic response.
- She seeks God first in her life, and gently encourages me to do the same, when I tend to be trying to solve stuff 'on my own.'
- On nights when I'm gone visiting a small group or at a meeting, she takes care of the children and never is one to give a guilt trip on why I'm gone.
- In the same breath, she helps protect our family and our marriage relationship from being second fiddle to ministry. Every pastor needs that.
- She serves in her own ministries at Crosspoint, and doesn't simply stay in my shadow as a pastor. She doesn't serve as 'Dave's wife', but rather as 'Heather.' She is her own woman, and I love that.
- And yet, she listens to messages, gives constructive feedback, lends creative ideas, and is a constant sounding board for the ministries I am involved in. Her advice and thoughts are like a hidden, secret weapon I have as a leader. Well, I guess, it isn't very secret anymore.
- She knows the heart of why we do what we do, and seeks to sacrifice, change, or adapt so that we can continue to follow the call that God has on our lives. She holds it ALL in an open hand to God.
- She is a learner. She reads books, articles, blogs. Listens to various speakers. Has conversations with friends. And then she takes so much of that and funnels the great stuff my way.
- She welcomes change. Whether small day-to-day change or large, life-altering type changes. Why else would she be ok with me leaving a comfortable job and great retirement for full-time ministry?! :)
- She is fallible, open and honest about where God is growing her. This post is not meant to put my wife on a pedestal or elevate her in regard to our church community. This is me, Dave, elevating her in my personal life, and sharing that with you all. She'll be the first to tell you that she doesn't have it all together, nor pretends to. But what I love about her is that she doesn't try and fake that or hide behind some silly man-made rules of what a pastor's wife should or shouldn't be.

Heather, you mean the world to me, and I'm so thankful God gave you to me nearly 12 years ago in marriage. Then nearly 9 years ago, God allowed us to become parents, and I couldn't ask for a better mother to our two children. I love you! Happy Mother's Day.

Good posts from the past week

Here are a few great posts from the past week...

Wordbytes from Mark Batterson

If I Were the Devil by Craig Groeschel

Leadership Filters by Tony Morgan

Best quote I've heard in a long time...
“To reach people no one else is reaching, we must do things no one else is doing” – Craig Groeschel

Volunteer appreciation

Alright, I know many of you who read this blog are, in one way or another, a volunteer at your church. And down deep in my heart, resides a strong love and appreciation for volunteers.

Why? Because for the longest time I was a volunteer at the churches we attended. I loved it. Whether it meant volunteering an hour a week or ten hours a week, it caused me to grow in humility, to reflect on who I truly serve, to be a model for my kids, and learn so much about so many ministries. And quite honestly, I miss that role. In fact, I've tried to set aside particular activities as still a volunteer role, ones that I don't count as 'hours worked.' For instance, I serve on a set-up team and lead a small group with Heather. Both of which are vital to Crosspoint's vision, and ones that I am serving as a volunteer, not as a pastor.

A church is a volunteer intensive organization (I think Bill Hybels called it that). When you really boil it down, volunteers are IT. They serve faithfully, in all sorts of capacities, to accomplish the vision. They work hard, and sacrifice time, money, and energy in order to follow the call that God has on their life.

And as a leader and a 'former' volunteer, I don't want to allow what they do to slide by, without being noticed or appreciated. As a church, I want to foster an environment where volunteers thrive. Where they feel loved, equipped, and encouraged for their role. They mean too much to me, and to Crosspoint, to take them for granted.

So, I want your ideas on how to appreciate volunteers. What are ways to love and encourage them in their roles? What are ways to say 'thank you'?

Furtick's thoughts on sermon ideas

I read this article about Steven Furtick today. He is a pastor I respect and follow from a distant. He pastors a church in Charlotte, NC. He said the following regarding sermon ideas, and it really put words to how I view message ideas and how God often speaks to me in my prep for messages. The Word is the foundation, and often times, I get creative ideas and fresh stuff from other pastors, my parenting, conversations with friends, or just random ideas popping in my head. Here is what Steven writes:

"I'm a sermon junkie. Thinking about a sermon series is not a job for me, it's a hobby. I'm constantly scouring for inspiration, motivation, and fresh ideas and concepts - in the Scriptures first and foremost, in conversations with others, in watching TV and movies, in listening to music, in walking through Borders. I'm always trying to listen for God's voice as to what to preach on next. A lot of my consideration of what to preach on comes from what God is showing me in my heart and in my spirit about the stage our church is at. I try to listen to Him and be obedient about the subject matter we need to tackle next. I think the key is that I maintain a healthy and vibrant walk with God and a tight connection with Him so that I can hear His voice and therefore be His voice to others."

His post on preachers listening to and watching other preachers is worth a read too.

Monday musings

- Congrats to Erik and Bree!
- Watching the local news last night and seeing them struggle and botch up technical stuff made me feel great about the group of volunteers at Crosspoint who strive to pull off Sunday mornings with excellence.
- I love to sing with my wife...and when we went acapella yesterday and to hear the whole Body singing out...oooo...gave me chills.
- It was great having our little niece at our house this weekend. Funny, how quick we've gotten used to not having a toddler around. We are spoiled with our two older ones.
- Speaking of our children...Eli was in rare form yesterday with his strong-will. Here is the thing to encourage every parent with one...prayer...make it first and foremost in your parenting. God's will is stronger than any young child's strong will. We saw God answer our prayer for a surrendered heart within minutes. Amazing...
- Got the top of the pool drained off...it is almost that time of year!!
- Maddy gets to play piano at Davenport's art show tomorrow. I'm so proud of the way she works at piano.
- Working through James in my devotions right now...what an incredible book!! God is whipping me into shape with it.
- What is the best way to encourage volunteers? That will be a question I pose this week on the blog. I want to know...because we've got faithful and hard-working volunteers at Crosspoint that need to know they are loved!
- Leadership lesson this past week...don't run from a leadership challenge. Embrace it. Even when it seems difficult and would be easier to run away. Run toward it. Ask God for wisdom, and then take action.
- I'm so glad I'm not commuting right now with gas prices the way they are.
- Lots of new faces at Crosspoint yesterday...always excites me!
- Some body needs to tell this yahoo on the right side to put up a new picture...it isn't winter anymore. Ditch the ugly red coat...
- Lizzie and Brian - you throw a great birthday party.
- Have a great start to your week!

Some photos from the week...

Heather got a new camera last fall. Here are some pix from the week...Maddy's 'We Love America' at school. Our niece Emma staying with us this weekend. :)

God doesn't have a Plan B

Have you ever felt like you are on the 'Plan B' track? That your original plans didn't work like you'd planned? I have, and every time, it seems the Holy Spirit whispers in my ear, reminding me of the truth of God's sovereignty. That He is all-powerful, all-knowing, and that I need to grow to trust Him more in my life.

Heather (you gotta give credit where credit is due) found this video and blog recently. The video is a long one, but if you have time, it is worth a sit-down and watch. :)