Standing on the stage in a church – you end up making lots of eye contact with people sitting in the audience. The ones that are most difficult are the ones that sit with their arms crossed and a scowl on their face. I’ve seen looks before that literally made me lose my place as to where I was in the talk. I think to myself – “Man! that guy hates my guts!! What did I do to him??” Then you talk to them after and – nope, they weren’t making a face at you or because of you – it’s just their normal, every day walking around face. A permanent frown – or scowl. Where is their joy? “Well,” you say – “not everyone has to smile all the time to prove they have joy Jason.” Actually, yes. That’s what a smile conveys – one’s joy! Have you ever tried to watch a funny movie or listen to a comedian and laugh while you are frowning? It’s impossible unless you are faking it. So when we have joy – it should be impossible to do anything but smile!

I feel sorry for all of the scowlers and frowners of the world. A life without joy is heartbreaking to me. If we believe in a star-breathing God (Psalm 33:6) who loves us and cares for our needs – joy should be the easiest thing in the world to find. There will always be times that hit us that bring sorrow and a time for tears but joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5).

So smile… and don’t be ashamed to keep that on your face. No one will think less of you… they’ll actually probably quit worrying you are depressed.

Essentially there has been something driving me crazy for a very long time. Certainly at least somewhat since I started in ministry 11 years ago… Definitely over the last couple of years – it has become more than just a nagging feeling in the back of my mind… and over the last six months it has become a full on migraine style pain in my brain. As men… we are failing.

Speak for yourself you say… Ok. That’s fair. I know that there are very godly men in the world, very strong leaders, very good dads, very good husbands. Probably you are one of them. This is more of anecdotal evidence for sure – but aside from really good beacons of light that exist in the form of great men in our world – manhood as  whole has been on a diminishing trajectory. A great deal of the reason for this is because of what manhood has come to represent.

For many, being a real man would be defined by the type of job they had, masculinity, lack of emotion, courage, boldness, willingness to get the job done, perseverance, and probably a running tally in a little black book somewhere of ladies’ phone numbers. Some of those are excellent traits that do indeed play an important part of who we are as men. But there is one really important one that I think gets left out a lot… public correctness dictates we leave it out nowadays… but I hate public correctness. The most important trait in a real man is that he is godly. From that pours out traits like “affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.” And yes… that is The Fruits of The Spirit as quoted from The Message (Galatians 5:22,23)

I think the reason it feels like things are getting worse in our communities, our country, our world… The Church – is because we have lost sight of what God is really calling us to be as real men. Our wives, our kids, our workplaces, our friends, our neighbors – they all need us to be focused on displaying The Fruits of The Spirit more than they need us to show them how loud we can shout or how masculine we can be. Men – it is time to step up and lead the way Jesus lead. It is time to embrace 1 John 2:6 and truly follow His example.

Again – maybe this isn’t an issue for you. Maybe you really are a true man of God. I am thankful for you if you are. I pray that others see the example you set and desire to live it out as well. I pray that they see you:

Leading your family… Praying… Reading the Bible… Loving and Serving your wife… Serving in your church… Living for Jesus. Being Holy as He is Holy (1 Peter 1:13-16)

Lead on Men of God. The world is waiting for us…

I think it is a hate crime … though I’d say that if it was white on white, white on black, black on black, black on asian, asian on eskimo and the list goes on forever. The reality is – that any crime like this… is definitely forged in hate. How could it be anything else? I feel weary just thinking about the reality of the level of hate that exists in the world. From groups of people on street corners, politicians on a national stage, teachers in classrooms, even ministers in pulpits. There is a darkness that is spreading in people’s hearts and it makes me really sad.

So what are we to do? The “we” being us as Christ Followers? Well – we follow Him. We listen to the words of Jesus…

‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ “This is the great and foremost commandment. “And a second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:37-40)

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” ( John 13:34-35)

“Whatever you want others to do for you, do so for them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” ( Matthew 7:12)

“But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward in heaven will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men.” ( Luke 6:35)

“Whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His life a ransom for many.” ( Mark 10:43-45)

“If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you.” ( John 13:14-15)

What we need is to … Love God, Love People. Amen.

This post is not apolitical one. This post is about the sad loss of life and the sad state of affairs our country finds itself in. It’s also about the no win situation President Obama finds himself in.

First though is the loss of a life. I really have no interest in what this young man’s proclivities for crime or mis-behavior were prior to his death. The fact is that he was killed. That is sad and anyone who tries to dismiss that is seriously flawed at some level. Too many people are focusing on justice vs compassion – on both sides of the tragedy. If we can’t come together and just focus on the reality that loss of life – regardless of race, creed or religion – is a sad thing then we will never find a way to heal.The rhetoric from both sides is not healthy and is not doing anything to advance peace. Both sides want justice served and both sides claim an inerrant claim to their belief being right. Hate is escalating and justice will not be served. A no win situation.

I also see that President Obama is facing criticism from every direction in his response to the killing. From the supporters of George Zimmerman come cries that he is only showing compassion because Trayvon Martin was a black teenager. They point to the 2 white british students murdered last April by a black Florida teen. They are mad that President Obama has remained silent in that case plus dozens of others that they are pointing to as well. They are angry that he hasn’t denounced the rhetoric swirling around calling for vigilante response to Zimmerman and his family and supporters. And then on the side of the supporters from the Trayvon Martin side some are saying he is not doing enough to support them. That he should be even more vocal… that he should come out even stronger in his support. In reality – I think we all understand that there is no possible way the President of the United States could weigh in on every act of violence in our country. Even if just narrowed to cases potentially based on crimes against race. Perhaps it’s better to say nothing on any just to remain “fair” but then that seems even colder. A no win situation.

Again – I am not writing this in support of any political cause or any side other than the side of where my faith carries me. I know that God has got to shake His head when he sees our response and our reactions to situations which should be met with sadness, sorrow and compassion yet we somehow meet them with anger, revenge and hatred. Both sides may find anger towards me for saying that I am praying for both families. My heart breaks for the parents of Trayvon Martin as they have lost him forever and are experiencing such pain and sorrow. For George Zimmerman and his family – their lives are forever altered and regardless of the conditions behind the fateful night – his family had no involvement. They are only guilty of loving their son.

No win situations all the way around.

But anyone who knows anything about God will know that No Win Situations are places He loves to show up and go to work… if we only invite Him in. I am praying for these to become No Lose Situations very quickly.

The idea to come here was born a little less than a year ago when one of the other pastors at Eastside – Travis Whalen – suggested I should go with him sometime to visit this amazing place. He had lived hear a few years ago with the intention of making this his permanent home and ministry – but love changed the direction for his life. (I am so glad it did too – as he is a close friend and an amazing part of what is happening at Eastside.)

When he suggested the trip, it felt like it was forever away. I actually didn’t believe it would be something I would do. But here we are nearly a year later and I am typing this blog entry from my small room in the mission house. I am so thankful to get to do this trip. I miss my family more than i can possibly explain – but I can tell this place will be good for my soul.

This may come as quite a shock – but sometimes ministry takes a toll. I have felt it quite a bit over the last weeks/months. I love it more than ever but you get tired quicker than you realize and it is hard to find time and space for recovery. I have only been here 2 days but have already met some amazing men and women and have been introduced to some amazing work being done here.

Today we spent the afternoon in a place called Tollymore Forest – a national park just west of Newcastle. We took an incredibly long walk with Travis and his wife Natalie taking turns pushing a stroller not designed for wooded paths containing their 2 year old son. I was privileged to carry Natalie’s 37 lb purse which still boggles my mind – both as to it’s weight and to the need of it in a forest… but nevertheless – it was a beautiful place. I love that God created such beauty… Do you ever consider how unnecessary beauty in nature is? I mean He could have created the earth in a very rigid, structured, linear fashion. While trees and plants and flowers provide us with necessary function – their form and beauty don’t serve purposeful function. But thankfully God didn’t create this place for robots. He created it with us in mind… and knew that our eyes would drink it all in… in wonder and amazement. The God of Psalms 33 (go ahead an read it!!) that breathes stars into being, gave us His eyes and His appreciation of what is beautiful. We just have to find the time to step back and appreciate it … time that is all too often absorbed with the mundane.

The trees and water and cool air today were a good reminder to me to rest and remember the star breathing God is in control. It is a good day. Now I just need some liniment for my shoulder after carrying that purse…

Sometimes – Christians drive me crazy. Not all of course – in fact – not even most, probably. But some do. Especially the ones that want to cling to rules, regulations, what ifs and what nots. I read 2 articles in just the last 2 days that literally made me throw my hands up in the air. One is just about Christian Churchse who are trying to reach out their Muslim neighbors in friendship. That has some Christians angry. The other story is about a Christian Church in Nashville who is allowing an Islamic congregation to use their church as they don’t have a mosque yet. That has some Christians angry.

Can we take a step back for just a minute and have an honest conversation you and I? Give me a break please! In either scenario what are these people worrying about? That there will be some kind of contamination – either the building that houses the Christian Church or of the Christians that  share meals with Muslims will be somehow contaminated? Isn’t our God bigger than that?

It’s amazing all of the different places we can encounter God – and all of the places we miss Him too… Not because He isn’t there but because we fail to seek Him out.

The alternative to both the news stories could have been neither side reaching out to the other and never meeting one another. How much chance would we have in that scenario of ever showing the love of Jesus Christ? I would love for Muslims to use our building! I would love to sit and pray with them and for them. I would love for us to need space and find a mosque that would share their home with us – again – so that I could pray with them, for them… share a meal with them, talk about our faiths.

I guess I believe in a God who means it when he says that we are to Love Him and Love People… All People. I also know without a shadow of a doubt that my faith and my commitment to Christ will not be changed or altered by anyone else’s faith in anyone else. Any Buddhists, Jews, Harikrishnas, Muslims, Mormons, Scientologists, Atheists, Christians or anyone else reading this … call or email me… I’d love to grab coffee or lunch and share time with you… Tell me about your beliefs and I’ll tell you about mine. And most importantly – we can get to know one another and hopefully find common ground together to just enjoy hanging out. Unlikely you say? I think you’d be surprised. I am a pretty decent guy to be around… or I like to think so anyway …

Here are the articles I referenced if you would like to read them… Here and Here.

Leading up to it – two groups of men are going ahead of everyone else… The staff guys and then some other leaders. Again, it’s intense. And I love it. And I dread it.

Tomorrow – we talk about David’s Mighty Men – 2 Samuel 23. One my most fave and most obscure passages in scripture… specifically vs 20 … A lion. In a pit. On a snowy day. Tomorrow we face our lions together. Tomorrow is one more step to being real men. Together. Pray for and with us!

Huh? Doc – I am a “pastor,” I replied in my most spiritually pompous voice. I thought to myself who is he kidding? He has missed something… I mean I have sparrows tattooed on my shoulder because of Luke 12:6. I believe in a God who sees to my every need and takes care of every stress in my life. I don’t have a stress issue… I mean if I do … then I am such a hypocrite! I tell everyone all the time not to worry – That God is in charge!!

In my mind and my heart though – I knew he was right. I had let stress overtake me. I began to slowly realize that at some point I had quit taking all of my troubles and concerns and worries to God and instead had begun trying to deal with them on my own.

It happens to all of us – pastor or not. We sometimes “forget” about God. I don’t mean permanently – or even really “forget” in the amnesia sense. I just mean that we get into streaks where we consistently push Him to the background so far that while we aren’t really forgetting Him – we forget to look to Him. Sometimes the patterns are easy to identify. We have a fairly stress free few months where things are all going smoothly and we take Him for granted. We “forget” that all our blessings pour from Him. At other times – times of sorrow, grief, anger… stress… We get too focused on our terrible circumstances and they become what we spend all of our time focusing on. We forget to ask Him for His hands to rescue us.

It comes down – ultimately in both scenarios – to a matter of discipline. If we don’t stay focused and disciplined in turning to God in both the good and the bad, then we begin to weave back and forth through life. We are like an unbridled horse… still moving, sometime fast, sometimes slow… but with no real purpose. It is a strange concept that being disciplined and submitting to God is actually freeing. Society doesn’t teach that. People outside of a relationship with God certainly don’t believe that. The sad part is that for many of us who claim Christ – we don’t really believe it either. We want God in our pocket… there when we need Him… Put away when we don’t. The disciplined response is that we need Him all the time. When He stays at the center of our focus… Everything else fades away… all our worries, our fears, our anger, our bitterness, our loneliness, our heartbreak… It’s not that we won’t still experience tough stuff – it’s just that we trust in Him to pick us up and see us through. So yes… Look at the sparrows. Let them be a reminder that God will provide… And just like them, we don’t need to worry.

I mean – I went to their website to see what evil they spew there… here was their mission statement: “In Girl Scouts, girls discover the fun, friendship, and power of girls together. Through a myriad of enriching experiences, such as extraordinary field trips, sports skill-building clinics, community service projects, cultural exchanges, and environmental stewardships, girls grow courageous and strong. Girl Scouting helps girls develop their full individual potential; relate to others with increasing understanding, skill, and respect; develop values to guide their actions and provide the foundation for sound decision-making; and contribute to the improvement of society through their abilities, leadership skills, and cooperation with others.” Evidently they keep their wickedness and subversion very well hidden. Dastardly! I decided I better check it out more…

I went to Google and just looked under the news tab for “Girl Scouts” … the first story was about Girl Scout Troop 467 in Chicago. They have been spending time every weekend at a rehab center for elderly people… fixing meals for them… putting on talent shows… sitting and talking with lonely elderly people. I sure hope they weren’t spreading their subversion.

The next one was about Troop 624 in Denver. They were helping an organization called Parker Select Cat Care in Denver. It’s a non profit who helps pet owners who can’t afford to feed their animals but love them dearly and don’t want to have to give them up to shelters. Such treachery!

Google must be in league with the depraved leaders of the Girl Scouts I thought. They are only pointing me to the good stories in an effort to mislead me – Mr. John Q Public. Evidently Yahoo, Bing and even little old Atavista are in leagues as well! How far do the tentacles of this monster reach?!? Or is it possible that organizations who may have different core beliefs than me can also do good in a hurting world?

I have a 3 year old little girl and I think of myself as a pretty conservative guy but honestly – I can’t wait for her to join the Girl Scouts! I love their cookies! I want her to spend time with widows and orphans in their place of need. I also want her to have opportunities to witness her faith through love instead of condemnation and allow people with different views see the love she has inside her.

Maybe the Girl Scouts organization partners with causes I don’t agree with… but if we close ourselves off from the world in an attempt to never associate with those who think differently from us then we are going to live in a very lonely space. I want to have friendships with those who I differ from so that we can have open honest dialogue together and if they know I love them – maybe they will be open to hearing me. I can’t imagine that Mr. “The Girl Scouts Are A Radicalized Organization” has much hope of them ever hearing him or seeing his point of view. I wonder when the last time was that he went and spent his Saturday afternoon sitting with lonely elderly people reading to them, cooking for them, loving them? Maybe he does that every weekend – I don’t know. But the good thing about me – I won’t plug in my own beliefs about him and state them as fact. I won’t allow the absence of information to his weekend philanthropy to convince me that he does no good. I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt.

Now where is the closest Girl Scout cookie stand? I’m gonna buy about $500 worth of thin mints and let you know that a pastor in Cincinnati, Ohio loves you and thanks God for the good things you do, for the love you share and the hope and joy you spread to the hurting. Hmmm. I think he’s right. That stuff is pretty radical.

Out-Of-Touchism… That’s a word right? As Christians – I think we can and sometimes do come across as isolationists… We have a club that if you don’t belong to it – you can’t hang out in our clubhouse. That’s fine for The Elks Club – but it’s not what Jesus set up for us. Remember that He was the guy that hung out with the prostitutes and the cheaters and the swindlers and all ilk in between. In Mark 2:17 He said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” Jesus met people where they were… He didn’t say – “Hey – pick your junk up and come over here to me.” He talked to them in ways they would understand – He connected with them on their level. I have a feeling He would be just as comfortable standing next to me in the middle of a smoke filled arena for a rock show as he would be at a Gaither Trio worship night. So how does that relate to Christian Media? Well honestly it’s not always the case that Christian Media is isolationist – I’ll admit that. There are lots of cross over artists, musicians, actors that do a beautiful job of weaving their craft with messages about Jesus and God that don’t just come across as preachy, out of touch or better than thou… So while I list this first – it’s not my biggest issue – just the main thing that I think needs to be guarded against…

The “Blah” factor… That’s probably my biggest issue – but it is just personal to me. The movies – definitely – and the music – for the most part – just don’t grab me. It’s not my bag baby. It doesn’t mean there is anything wrong with you liking it or even loving it… But does it make me less of a Christ Follower because I don’t? I like music that has an edge and movies that are quirky and/or dark. I love being able to talk about music and film – and some of my best relationships have developed with people out of both. (In full disclosure, I also don’t have a Fish Logo or a bumper sticker on my car that says Jesus Is My Co-Pilot – but that’s a whole different post I think.) I feel like you are judging me right now. But I am crazy paranoid about that kind of thing… Nahh – not really.

A friend told me recently he had a conversation with someone who wanted to know – “if Jesus were here today, what movies would He watch?” Interesting question. I think the answer is that He probably wouldn’t. I mean being omnipotent has got to take the fun out of watching a cliff-hanger movie. Can you imaging watching Sixth Sense with Jesus? The opening scene starts and Jesus says “that guy is totally a ghost! Bam!! Let’s go grab a pizza.” Yes I am joking… I know Jesus would never ruin the ending of a movie. He wouldn’t be that guy. I think if Jesus answered that question himself – He would answer it in typical Jesus fashion and ask back “what would you have me watch?” That is a way tougher question!! Hmmm… would it be Fireproof? Or The Left Behind Movies?? The choices are so many!! Me… I would want him to watch my family home movies. I would want to sit and laugh and cry with him as we watch my kids grow up in front of the camera… to see the old movies of my dad and grandparents – who are gone now. I think He would completely light up watching my little girl dance to Michael Jackson songs or to see my granddad teaching me to ride a bicycle when I was a kid or to watch me and my wife’s country Tennessee wedding that was filmed from the back of the church with a cheap camera … I think He would find pure joy in all of it… And then I think he’d say – let’s go get a pizza!!

I don’t think the answer to mainstream media is Christian Media ”only.” If mainstream media gets between you and your relationship with Jesus – don’t watch it. Don’t listen to it. If only listening to Christian radio stations helps you connect with Him – then do that. If like me – you love listening to punk rock and old country music and watching movies about vampires or war and it doesn’t pull you away from God – then that’s ok too. One day I guess we all will know the answer … Maybe I’ll be right and find out that Jesus was mad too when Arrested Development got cancelled.