Steps

I have vivid memories of both of my children taking their first steps. Marisol is 10 years old, and Miguel is soon to be six, but the memories of watching them discover "bi-pedal mobility" is as clear as anything.

I remember the squeals! Yes, they were coming from Lucia and I. I remember the tears . . . also coming from Lucia and I. There was also shouts of joy and applause filling the room. It was all quite overwhelming for each child I'm sure. But I know their sense of accomplishment overshadowed the celebration going on around them.

But, I also remember the look of wonderment in my kid's eyes when they realized, in that very moment that a world of discovery lay ahead. There was a sense of accomplishment for sure . . . but there was also a look of "If I can do this . . . I wonder what ELSE I can do!"

I know Marisol and Miguel have long forgotten their first steps. We have moved on to scooters and bicycles now. But each time my kids take a step into the "unknown," it just ignites their passions further. I'm so proud of them. All it takes is a first step . . .

How many adventures are awaiting you . . . simply by taking a step?

Start leading that Bible study God is asking you to do.
Write that first page of the book you always wanted to try.
Schedule your first music lesson.
Start that blog.
Open a savings account for that trip you always wanted to take.
Tell that one friend about how Jesus has changed your life and see what happens.

You see . . . life is an adventure. Opportunities abound just around the corner. But how will you know if you never take that first step. It could take you from the couch to the kitchen chair (like my kids) or it could take you around the world. Who knows?

Oh there's risk involved. You could fall flat on your butt. However, just like my kids, you get back up and try again . . . this time with the gained wisdom from the previous fall.

Don't miss out on life's amazing journey by putting off the first step.

One step leads to another.
Next thing you know, you are running.
Then you are flying.

Take a chance. Take a step. Before you know it . . . you will seize every leap of faith as the bridge to your next adventure. Isn't that how God meant it to be?

What are you waiting for?

Onward and upward (literally)

Stephen

STOP PLANTING CHURCHES!

While eating lunch today, I read a fascinating quote in a book. It said, "Don't plant churches. Plant Jesus! Plant the Gospel of the kingdom. Church will grow naturally from that, and reproduce organically."

As a church planter, it struck me odd for a moment, and then from out of nowhere it hit me like a speeding train. I had to read, re-read, and then re-re-read it again. The profundity of that statement was so overwhelming that I couldn't eat another bite.

It was so much more than an "a-ha" moment. It spoke to the very core of my being. It resonated in my spirit so deeply that I had to close the book and simply mediate on what I had just read.

The Bible never tells us to "build" churches. In fact, Jesus told Peter that HE would build HIS church. BUT scripture also does not tell us to plant churches either. It tells us to proclaim the Good News and make disciples.

Here's what struck me about what I read: We are called to sow. What do we sow? We sow the Truth. The Gospel. The Good News of Jesus Christ. We are not called to sow churches. Churches are the FRUIT. Fruit that is produced from the seeds of the Gospel. Think about what that means for a second. Is it possible that we are doing things backwards? I think so. I'm not saying that a vision for a new church is wrong. But I do believe the "why" and "how" we are going about it could be sadly heading in the wrong direction.

Here's the WHY:

Current thinking says: "There are no churches in this community, so let's plant one."

Biblical thinking says: "The community around us is going to hell, let's demonstrate Jesus' love to this community and see what HE produces.

Our motivation should simply be that EVERYONE needs an opportunity to see the love of God demonstrated through Jesus, and now His love demonstrated through us. It is then we are planting the seeds of the Gospel. Will a church come from that. I certainly hope so. But we are not the ones "building" it. It is truly a work of the Holy Spirit.

Here's the HOW:

Current thinking says: "Let's start meeting in a building and invite people to come and see what God is doing."

Biblical thinking says: "Let's go into the community and share God's love and message and see what HE does."

I don't know about you . . . but that really shakes my world. It makes life a heck of a lot more interesting. And let's be honest . . . it fills our life with such purpose, every moment that we have breath.

May we all be challenged to plant the seeds of the Gospel EVERYDAY. May we look for and take advantage of every opportunity God gives us to share the love of Christ. If we all did that . . . maybe, just maybe the church might begin to look like the church Jesus said it would be: "And the gates of hell will not prevail against it."

Amen and amen.

Onward and upward,

Stephen

P.S. The book I was reading was called "Church 3.0" by Neil Cole. I know some of you are going to ask :) sb.

ATTENTION TO DETAILS

I was recently at Walt Disney World, visiting the Magic Kingdom with my family. Upon exiting the park, my family and I had to wait for the monorail to pick us up and take us to our next destination. While waiting, I noticed a rather strange but refreshing sight.

I saw a woman who worked for Disney begin to clean the outside of a waste container. At first she sprayed it and wiped it down. Then she began to buff out the scratch marks on the metal part. She worked on it for what seemed to be about 10 minutes. She was determined to see this trash can shine.

Most people would not take notice of a person doing this. I found it absolutely intriguing. In fact, I was willing to wait her out just to see how long she would continue to focus her efforts. If it hadn't been for the arrival of our ride, I would have stayed as long as it took. For all I know, she might still be there.

Will anyone ever walk up to that waste container and say "WOW! What a sparkling clean trash can!" I seriously doubt it.

But, I am certain beyond a shadow of a doubt, no one will ever complain or write a letter describing the horrible experience they had at Disney World because of a dirty trash can.

Now, multiply this woman's efforts by 47,000. That's how many Cast Members (employees) Disney has working in Orlando, Florida. There is a reason Disney has the reputation that it does. I know that every cast member may not focus so hard on the details as this woman, but imagine if even half of them did (and that is a very lowball figure). Now you are beginning to learn their secret (or at least one of them).

Could you imagine we as Christians taking that kind of ownership in our churches? Taking such care of the details, no matter how menial or unnoticed? It is my hope and prayer that the Church will be filled with such a desire to see Christ glorified, that the smallest task will be done with the greatest dedication.

Walt Disney said "You can dream, create, design, and build the most wonderful place in the world . . . but it requires people to make the dream a reality."

Imagine if our churches understood the weight of that statement? Let's take pleasure in paying attention to the details. Let's take delight in the small things that might not even be noticed by any one else. But let me assure you . . . someone does notice And HE's the reason we do it to begin with. HE's the reason we pay attention to the details. It is for HIS glory we labor. It is for HIS recognition that we serve so diligently.

It may be just a trash can. But SOMEONE is watching and taking delight in your labor.

Onward and Upward,

Stephen