How far is it to heaven?

It’s quite ironic actually that most of the people I have met here in the Philippines believe that we Americans live in heaven. A man told us that he had visited our country regularly….in his dreams.

We were invited by one of our employees, Roy, to speak at a new church he was helping start. So Sunday morning we set out to church. Wow. This was my first trip into the barrios of Davao City. The living conditions I witnessed are beyond description. We were carried down a narrow alley with shanties and houses so close that the little taxi barely fit. Children and adults stopped to stare into the can as it was obvious we were not one of the locals. When we finally reached the end of the road and the little community that was established there. I was rushed with so many thoughts and emotions. I truthfully struggled to act without reaction.

Roy began to introduce us and much to my delight, it was the curiosity of the children that began to break the ice. Most of them had never seen an American. They had never had their pictures taken much less look into the little screen and see themselves. I was mauled by children wanting to have their pictures taken so they could look at themselves.

As we began to worship with these wonderful people, I was amazed at their sincerity. They welcomed the two Americans , the two Reverends. ( Dennis is a real Reverend. I am simply a follower of Jesus and a student of the Word) The children would reach out for our hands and bow to touch their foreheads to the back of our hands. This is a sign of respect and honor given to a Priest. They were seeking a blessing from a messenger of God. These two strangers who came to visit were being treated with the highest honor they could give.

They asked Dennis what he thought would make a good name for their new church. We had learned that there were many religious sections of people there. Baptists, Methodists, Catholic and others to be sure. But they came together and sought our prayers and our blessings as two people who had come all the way from heaven to visit and worship with them. Dennis suggested ” United Church” as they were truly united. Not the United Methodists, or the United Presbyterians or the United Church of God, but just the United Church. People who are United together to worship and serve the or Lord.

We sang and prayed, reading ( or trying to read) new words hand written on yellow poster paper that was pinned to bamboo poles. I was awed at the vigor and honesty of their praise. They didn’t know the words and they didn’t know much scripture. The elders back at the 92nd Baptist church would have been appalled that one of the verses in the song was written ” all hell King Jesus” instead of ” All Hail”, but I am sure that Jesus smiled and knew exactly what they meant. The band was a beat up guitar and the the microphone crackled and strained to raise the level of their leaders voices to not much more than a good holler. They didn’t care, they sang!

And when they sang, oh what praise was lifted to the Heavens ! When Pastor Nick prayed, He moved me to tears. I couldn’t understand a word he said. He was probably praying in a Tagalog, their native language. Maybe he was praying in the spirit. I don’t know for sure but I can guarantee you that God heard and God understood. I also guarantee you that God acted acted. I saw it. I felt it. I was a part of it.

These people were reaching to God with everything they had. They were searching for any and every sign that a better life was in front of them. They clapped and cheered and yelled at the top of their voices at the mention of heaven or of Jesus.

There are no cafeterias or Outback Steakhouse’s to go to after service , so no need to rush the worship to beat the crowd. No one sat in the crowd boo hooing the big screens’ casting an image of the Pastor as showboat Christianity. No big hats, shiny shoes , fancy ties or laughing at the person beside them for messing up the words to Amazing Grace. There was just sincere praise, sincere longing and a sincere desire to know the Heart of God. I have never seen such hope , such desire, such praise. I will never worship the Lord the same again.

This is not a criticism or critique of the American church. This is a sharing of the difference in a people with little material or earthly possessions and a people with everything. These people believe that two American reverends had indeed come from Heaven to help them learn how to build a church. I now recognize all I take for granted. I recognize how the many blessings I have can distract me from praising God like I should.

No doubt that this American “reverend” , learned much more than he imparted. I am changed by the heart of worship. I have been closer to heaven. Half way around the world and a LOT closer to heaven.

So now we are somewhere over China smoothly gliding towards Japan  12.5 hours is a long time for me to be anywhere much less in one seat on one plane.  I can’t get comfortable. Watched 2 in air movies, read, played solitaire and wished i had put more onto my Ipad before I left.

I have not only not really been able to work as I planned, I  have also learned today how addicted I am to being connected. This flight does not have WiFi on it. Soooo no Internet, no phone, no texting,  no Facebook, no fantasy football prep, no Google review or systems review or work or nothing. So I guess I should be ultimately thankful for my iPad that I can type this onto the notes app and consider myself doing something fruitful. I needed to start blogging again anyway.

Now my pards, Dennis is trying somewhat successfully to sleep. He might take offense that I would say that the last 8 hours have not been fruitful. We have counseled, he has taught and I find myself always soaking in wisdom from his 62 years of teaching , preaching and counseling. He ain’t too bad a business person either! We have continued to seek God’s direction for our business and are excited that this trip is pregnant with revelation knowledge and direction. We have developed an new market channel to use in building our personal coaching product to go along with our business coaching launch.

But the forefront of our trip is to spread the Gospel and make disciples of the Nations by ministering to children. We want to work ” here , near and far” to borrow the catch phrase of my new friends at New Charlotte Church.  We have things working near and these next 16 days we will be far…. Gotta go , movie number 3 just came on. james Bond !  More to come..

Watch this blog,  I Care 4 Children and I care 4 children on Facebook for more updates

Wordnet says: “someone sent on a mission–especially a religious or charitable mission to a foreign country”

Wikipedia says: “Christian missionary can be defined as “one who is sent to witness across cultures.”

I say that a missionary is anyone who is on a mission. Someone can be a mission for good or evil. A mission could be fruitful or pointless. A mission can be a waste of time or profitable venture.

I also think that everyone is a missionary. Most definitions of missionaries revolve around the spreading of religious or spiritual beliefs, but really doesn’t everything you do say something about what you believe. And doesn’t what you believe say something about who you are? Since who you are effects what you do, and what you do has effect on everyone you come in contact with, doesn’t that mean that everyone is a missionary to their beliefs and who they are? You don’t have to say anything to spread a message, an idea or an attitude, all you have to do is be there.

Agreed? Good! Then here is the question:

What is your Mission? What do your thoughts, words and actions say about you and the mission that you are on?  Is the life you live something that could be called a mission?

It is my belief that all who are reading this, not only want their lives to be a mission, but a mission that resonates and draws others into that same mission.  You want to live your lives “So That” others will see your mission and want to come along as opposed to lives of “So What” and insignificance.

Our mission, if we choose to accept it, is to live a life of significance, to be missionaries to that which we hold dear and valuable.

Welcome IgniteCharlotte !!!

Visit our Facebook Fanpage as well as the Ignite National site for more information on this new and exciting networking forum.

You get 5 minutes on stage in a casual environment with friends, old and new, to share your ideas on life and your community. Have a ton of fun, learn and laugh with others who want to be heard as well.  You prepare 20 powerpoint slides that advance automatically while you speak and when your time is up you are done.

I cannot wait for Charlotte to get a hold of this and take IgniteCharlotte into the national spotlight. It takes a crowd so “like” us on Facebook , visit the website and GET INVOLVED.

Have a fantastic Memorial Day Weekend. My thanks and thoughts go to all of the men and women (and their families) who have served in our Armed Forces so that we can live the life we do !

I have done stupid scary like , ” That was stupid, thank God we are alive !”   I’ve done exciting scary like ” lets do that again ! ”   I’ve done accident type scary like ” can you believe we just did a 360 in the middle of the wet road in front of a Mack Truck !” Most of my “scaries” have been just me alone or with some other just as scared but willing participant. Now I have a different kind of scary.

I work with Blueagle Marketing, a start up company. It was scary when I quit my very nice salaried job 2 weeks before Christmas to fully commit. It was scary selling our first multi billion dollar company our services like it was something we did every day.

Now it is really scary bringing people on board our team. These are people who have families with responsibilities. It is scary that these people have hopes and dreams and goals that are now a part of my life, my business and my dreams. This could be lots of pressure like scary! And sometimes I get really pressure kind of scary like I am up at 2 a.m. pressure kind of cant sleep scary !

But you know what? I’m not really scared. Oh maybe a little ” that was scary lets ride it again !” kind of scared. But not fear scared and I will tell you why.

Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”  One of the many cool parts of this verse is  ”which God prepared for us beforehand so that we could walk in them.”  To quote Mark Batterson just today in his blog , ” God is setting us up.”  Mark goes on to say  that this  ” … fills me with holy anticipation. It gives me an unshakable sense of destiny. If we simply stay in tune with what the Holy Spirit is saying and doing we will walk into situations that God has divinely orchestrated for us. I don’t believe in coincidence. I believe in providence. God is in the business of making sure we’re in the right place at the right time. There are divine appointments that God is already setting up for next day delivery!”

If God is setting me up, then He is setting the people He is bringing onto our team up too. It is my responsibility not to be scared, but to lead.  I lead best by following my mentor and by following Him. He is setting us up !

John Ortberg wrote a book , ” If you want to walk on the water, you’ve got to get out of the boat”  I may not be walking on the water , but I for sure am  going to do my best not to take my eyes of of Him !  Scary good … scary exciting…  I never knew following God could be soo exciting !

I have been set up ! No need to be scared, just get on out of the boat and let’s go !

Sitting down to spend time with Him today , I see that it has been several days since my last journal entry.  Not that He and I haven’t  talked and hung out a bit over the last few days. It’s just that I have not really been still and given Him my full attention. I am glad He is so understanding.

When I do take time to listen, He does offer me some good thoughts. For example this morning , as I realized that I have missed some time with Him, I also realized that I haven’t missed much time on my Facebook page!  I do so enjoy seeing and communicating with people  both from the now and from the past. I catch up and keep up with kids, jobs, jokes and the like. I watch as my friends  go through so many trials , tests and triumphs. The stages of life are played out before me every day. Just this week, I have shared life , death and most everything in between.

There are people who are celebrating victories, new assignments, and exciting times of adventure. There are those that are wandering around in a daze of doubt , fear and uncertainty. I see hurting people who are dealing with life and death often very suddenly and unexpected. Life is happening all around me and I have the blessing of sharing it with those who for one reason or another over the years I have a connection with.

I am amazed at the strength we as a people show. At the same time, I am amazed at how much we take for granted!  Then it occurs to me that we are all at one time strong , another time weak, another time selfish and another time selfless.

Then God brings me back to Him and His part in all of this. How He is everything that we are. He is strong. He is loving. He is caring. He is faithful. He is merciful. He is forgiving. He is always with us.  At the same time, He is also everything that we are not. He is never weak. He is never selfish. He is never jealous. He is never lost. He is never prideful. He is never surprised. He is never out of focus. He is never in a hurry. He never goes one minute without loving each and every one of us. Wow , He is good !

King Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 3 , and yes The Byrds sang, ” There is a season…” .  It is for us to love support and help each other through each season. We are to celebrate with the victories and support through the tears.  As He is with us every minute, we ought to be with those around us through every season.For those of you experiencing victory right now ,I  rejoice and celebrate with you !  For those of you whose are hurting, you are in my prayers and I cry with you.

God wants you to know today that no matter where you are , stand strong , be still and know that He is God!  He is a God that is never early and never late. He is always thinking of you and He is always right on time!

I also have to compliment my two boys on their own accomplishments and exciting ventures. Sam, my oldest son, is taking after the entrepreneurial spirit of his parents and launching Afford-A-Pool here in Charlotte. His vision is to start with a pool care company and grow that into a business with many year round residential services.  The joys and ulcers of business ownership are his to find for himself.

Zac, as many of you who follow along know ,  is working like a man possessed to get ready for his freshmen year at Bridgewater College in Virginia. He works out every day, has reported that his body fat is down from 15% to 9% !( I have found that 6% thank you Zac! ) and makes me crazy with his I can eat anything ,except everything, diet. Now all he wants to do is kick his old man’s butt.

God is good. There have been times in my life when I felt so hopeless and defeated. I know there is a season for everything and that there will be many more of each season, but for now… I am loving the peace I am living through all my kids, my wife, my family, my business and my God ! ”

I am indeed  ” being still and knowing that He is God” !

I have heard it said, ” Never trust a man who doesn’t have a limp.”  Trust me, I have a big limp!

I have fought the battle of protecting my family before and lost. I have done the divorce thing and still perceive it as the biggest loss in my life. God tells us that He will restore the harvest of our locust eaten years and He has done that. I am blessed with the relationships that I have. I am blessed with a beautiful  family that is full of love and acceptance. I am forgiven for my errors but I will always have a “limp”.

My biggest blind spot when I was younger was that I didnt realize the intensity of the battle that was going on around me. There is an enemy out there who would steal everything you have and the first thing that enemy wants is your family. Think about it.What can be more traumatic to more people? Death? Ok, death is pretty traumatic, but I can tell you, the shredding of a family has a life long effect on those closest to you.

What is it that distracts you from your family? Job and finances are big because you have to have both. Work too much and you lose, work too little and you lose too. Maybe it’s golf, or your buddies or another hobby. Maybe it’s lust or the desire to have something you aren’t getting at home. There are so many things vying for your attention. Society is working overtime to tell you that you need more, or different, or prettier or better or  whatever .  Think about it, is there anything really more important than your family?

Here is the major issue, we live in a day when we feel “entitled” and we enjoy feeling this. ” I work my tail off all week, I deserve…..”  ” If she would just get  off my back a minute, then I wouldnt have to be …..”  ” I have feelings too.” ” I deserve to be happy”

When did we as a community stop taking responsibility for our own actions? When did we start finding it so easy to base our emotional well being on the actions of those around us?   Come on admit it, we enjoy carrying a grudge, or letting that disagreement let us off the hook  by allowing it to live a little bit longer. It’s way easier NOT to communicate, especially when you are really looking for an excuse to do your own thing! Come on now, let’s man up!

As a man we stick our chest out and defy anyone to tell us we can”t provide. We as men are full of false bravado when someone challenges us or our ability. Right?  ”Nobody tells me what to do!” Right… then let’s mean that.

If you want to protect your family, you have to lead your family. You have to lead yourself and that begins with accepting responsibility for every thought and every action. Focus on what it is you really want long term, if you want a broken home and split family so you can play more golf, drink more beer and chase that lust, then keep blaming  everything on everybody else.

I am sure that other people in your home are not perfect and have things they need to deal with. You can’t control that, but you can control you. Protect your family by leading your family. Its a lesson I learned the hard way. It’s one I want you to learn by listening to a man with a limp and not from your own experience. So, if this sounds harsh, be  man, you can take it!

Books – Every Mans Battle , Tender Warrior, Finishing Strong

Our religion systems are polarizing. Our political system fragments instead of unifies. Harmony?  I see more harmony on Twitter and Facebook than on the street, or our businesses or churches or our town halls.

Don’t get me wrong. I have some very strong spiritual and political beliefs. But last time I checked, nobody nominated me to correct everyone else’s belief’s. My passion is not a license to steam roll everyone who disagrees with me. My job is not to perpetuate strife or abrade you into seeing things my way.

It  IS up to me  to stand for what I believe and share that belief by example. It has been said that one who stands for nothing will fall for anything and I believe that, yet it is the  way we stand that makes the difference.I can lead by actions, I can persuade with the consistency between  my message and  my method.  I can value you as a person whether I agree with you or not.

As Pollyanna as it may seem, we can make a difference this way. Maybe we can look at someone we disagree with  and discern what their needs are. If we talk to instead of talking at, we might find what has influenced a persons  life that has  brought them to be who they are.

Let’s prefer the people around us for a change. Let’s take a minute to find the value in others. It’s like that corny insurance commercial where everyone is taking one second to look after a passerby. Yes , it’s corny- because we have made it corny.

I got your back if you’ll take mine. I will value you if you will value me. I will try to make things right with you instead of preaching at you. Then perhaps you will see something in me that causes you to ask ,” How is it that you….?”

To me…thats leadership….

I can’t wait to send that last picture from just outside the house! Daddy’s home!