Expectant Extraordinary

Listening to: The One Who Saves by Hillsong

I'm back from California. Great trip with a number of great meetings. I'm blessed with deep friends and people who spur me on to greater ideas and faith. In the midst of a couple meetings, there were some incredible things God was teaching me. As I moved from meeting to meeting, I kept my friends the Mitchell's and their family in prayer. I'm moved by their faith, no actually by their faithfulness. I'm finding that a lot of people believe but fail to let that dominate their actions. John and Sha, I love you guys. May it be well with your souls.

It seems like there is never a shortage of people who want to give their opinion or advice on all sorts of things. I'm guilty of being that person often as well come to think of it. It also seems like God uses statements people don't intend to say, or maybe one's that aren't from them, to teach me. I can't tell you how many times I've told somebody thanks for what they taught me only to have them respond with something like "I don't even remember saying that." I blame the Holy Spirit for those moments. Here are two that happened to me recently.

While on a campus visit we had the opportunity (let's call it that) to eat lunch in the cafeteria. Our host prayed for our meal and in the midst of it made the statement "Lord we recognize that this truly is the day you have made, may we walk expectantly because of that." I've sung the cheesy song, but I rarely recognize the simply profound thought that God designed the day. Because of that, it makes a lot of others things easier. And it makes a few things more difficult.

I also had a meeting with a pretty incredible ministry. The simple fact is they are living a lifestyle of service I don't have the guts for. They are called to do something so intense, so dangerous and so necessary it gives them the right to say some pretty bold things. Instead, they serve with a humility I'm impressed by. They recognize God is moving there but then they said something that blew me away, "It's extraordinary and it's happening everywhere." In other words, they don't have the corner market on God's activity. What they are doing is awesome, fact is He's up to that all over the place.

My perspective is simply too small. My focus is way too much on me. My situation, my problems when seen in perspective are simple. At least in the hands of the One who made all this. I don't write all this to say our stuff is trivial and we shouldn't get so wrapped up in it. I just want to be reminded that all the while that I serve one who is bigger, stronger, higher. Because at the end of the day the smartest thing we can do is sit in silence with those we love realizing we have nothing to say and He is speaking through His Spirit in ways we cannot fathom or articulate.

In the end, I resolve to try and live with an attitude that looks for the the expectant extraordinary. It shouldn't be that hard. It's happening all over the place. I just need to slow down enough to see it.

Lessons from a date

Currently Listening to The Way You Are by Bruno Mars.

This morning Brynn and I went on a date. We shared an iced coffee, well truth is one of us hogged most of it, and some other delicious goodies. I snapped this picture of her and then we dug into a great conversation which included Brynn letting me know that she loves girls singers such as Justin Bieber. Along the way I learned/relearned a few things.

1. Slow Down
In my desire to eat and get moving, I miss out on the joy that a meal conversation can be. Our family eats meals together every night because it matters. There is nothing on TV that is more important that our conversation. But there are times when I'm grabbing a meal where I miss out on learning from those I'm hanging out with.

2. Live Loud
Brynn doesn't really have a volume button. I'm learning that's okay sometimes. Her joy for life, her passion for telling stories makes me happy and for most of the elderly folks around us the same was true. Is it mean to assume that most of them couldn't hear her anyway? Brynn loves to talk and loves to eat the good stuff first. In this case it was the hash browns because they were a lot like french fries. I also love how she eats the middle of her food first. I seem to save it for last even though it makes sense to enjoy it. As a life principle, maybe enjoying the good stuff first isn't such a bad plan.

3. Ask Questions
Want to learn? Ask questions. Somewhere after we turn 4 or 5 we seem to be less inquisitive. Though this might be nice for our parents who are tired of answering why questions 2500 times a day, the downside is we start to think we have things figured out.

I learned a lot more this morning too. Like how lucky I am to have her in my life. That God was gracious enough to give me not just an amazing wife but a daughter who is a lot like her as well. That sharing a pile of ketchup can be pretty fun and that as much fun as we had is a rare joy that can pass me by too quickly if I'm not careful.

Towers of Babble

Thanks to a recommendation from my boss I'm reading a pretty interesting book with a pretty unfascinating title, Salsa, Soul and Spirit. It's actually a leadership book though some of you were probably convinced I was learning to dance.

Sorry to disappoint.

For those of you still reading, the book contains a powerful quote from MLK Jr. that has prompted some thoughts in my head. "We are prone to judge success by the index of our salaries or the size of our automobiles, rather than by the quality of our service and relationship to humanity."

This is not an anti-establishment post. Nor is it a post that says something dumb like big=evil or if you are successful you must have compromised. I think that's petty excuses lazy people make to justify the fact that everything they are doing isn't accomplishing much. Did that sound harsh?

At the end of the day, this serves as a good reminder for me is not what I have done for me, it's what have I done for we. I don't want to live in such a way that I'm out of touch with others, with my neighbors or with the needs of others (and myself).

Somewhere in there whether we've intenionally developed one or not, we have a philosophy on justice, social responsibility and the sacredness of life that is guiding what we do. What makes us great isn't our got but our give.

Gut Check

Currently listening to nothing.

In my reading this week for my class on the book of Ephesians, I came across a gut check quote from John Stott. This week we are studying Paul's prayer in Ephesians 3 which is a rather familiar passage for most of us connected with the church. In his section on this prayer, Stott starts his first paragraph off with this statement:

"One of the best ways to discover a Christian's chief anxieties and ambitions is to study the content of his prayers and the intensity with which he prays them."

I'm not going to say much more about all this as I think just Stott's words are convicting enough. The reality of it is my prayers, if they were printed out for you to read would probably leave me embarrassed. The reason being, they are selfish and self centered way too much.

This picture reminds me of one of the two people who when I think of when I get honest about what a beautiful prayer life can look like, my grandma. I remember as a kid sometimes being annoyed by how long her prayers were but when I think back to them, they were so passionate. They were spoken from a humble need and expressed to God just who He was and how impossible life would be without him.

The other lady who I think of is a dear woman named Helen. For about 3 years I lived with her and her husband while finishing up college and serving at my first church. IF there is a woman who prays more selflessly, I am not aware of it. The simple, peaceful intensity with which she prays blows me away. She is disciplined, consistent, faithful with her prayer and her stories of what God has done are inspiring.

A long time ago when I was a youth pastor, I used to challenge kids to spend a week where they were not allowed to ask God for anything while they prayed. What I found, and they said they did to, was just how shallow and selfish most of our prayers are. I'm not saying I don't think about what I pray, I'm just realizing some focus could make a pretty big difference. My question is, how about you?

The Better Half

Currently listening to Made For You by One Republic

We were talking around the office today about how incredible and under appreciated our wives are. I have said for years that the most impressive, capable and worth knowing Gilchrist is my wife. I don't mean that as disrespect for my kids, you should meet them too!

I realized this once again a few months back when I watched the kids for a weekend while Ang was gone. At the end of the weekend I felt like I deserved a Emmy for getting the kids to school and church, feeding them meals, attempting to bathe them and providing food for them that didn't come out of a microwaveable tray. I remember coming back to work on that following Monday and feeling like there should be a special assembly in my honor that distinguished me above all other inferior men in the office who watched football, played video games and slept while their wives did everything.

The fact is my wife is amazing. My wife would suck without her. Our home "runs" because of her. While I'm off eating at some Diners, Drive Ins and Dives location she is busy caring for Carter and Brynn and giving of herself to make sure they are happy. And I don't thank her enough. She's creative, articulate, opinionated, insightful, passionate, dedicated, determined and as capable as anyone I know.

Truth is, she gives me the best advice. She's rarely wrong and reads people, situations and concerns quicker and better than I ever will. Some of the guys I work with even now ask me, "Did you ask Ang? What did she say about it?"

So to my amazing wife: Words on a screen don't do you justice for what you mean to me. I probably have no idea how amazing you really are and all the things you do to bless me. If I started today, I couldn't ever catch up to being for you everything you are for me. Maybe every once in a while I need to give you a weekend away so I can be reminded with how empty my life would be without you. Maybe someday we can open that restaurant together we've always dreamed about.

Desire

Currently listening to Kings and Queens by 30 Seconds to Mars

I talked today with a pastor who is trying to figure out their next step in life.

To say the least, there is a lot packed in that sentence. Especially when you consider that any decision we make regarding ministry, location and co workers has a lot of implications. As a person who has moved a time or two, those situations are difficult to say the least.

It seems like people are always looking at "what's next" for them. I think this is good but dangerous. I speak from personal experience as there seemed to always be times in my life where I was looking at what I would do next. Somehow I might even love what I'm doing right now but still be curious about the next stage in life.

What I am being taught is that what's next and what's right now can be the same thing: faithfulness.

I heard Louie Giglio quote Thomas Merton a while back, "Your life is shaped by the end you live for." I like that thought quite a bit. I think what we look towards needs to be eternal and not earthly. Period.

So enough about bigger jobs, higher pay, cooler locations and more about developing who we are to look more like Him so that no matter what we are doing its the right thing. I say that because the only common denominator in all our jobs, all our locations is us. New places don't fix gaps in our character, it just masks them for a while.

Maybe the words of Thomas Merton about desire sum this up best: "Your life is shaped by the end you live for. You are made in the image of what you desire."

Jad and Kal

Currently listening to With Everything by Hillsong

It's the 9th of September. A few months ago the 9th was just another day on the calendar. Depending on what I was doing, it might be a significant day or it might be just another day at the office.

A few months ago the 9th of any month became special, even sacred.

Ang and I have some friends who we love a great deal who are pregnant. This amazing time in their lives has turned into a bit more than they had planned on when they discovered that the twins boys were actually conjoined. Despite the doctors best efforts to discuss things like termination, John and Shawna have stood up, for the Glory of God.

Stood up sounds too soft, too weak. They have demonstrated a faith and a strength that is unbelievable. I've always enjoyed these two, I have always admired their strength and unashamed worship for the Father. But the worship they demonstrate these days is different.

You hear it in their voices, you see it in their actions, you sense it in their presence. They are inspiring people, regardless of the outcome, demonstrating just what it looks like to walk by faith and not by sight.

On the 9th of each month, Ang, Carter and I join dozens of others who fast all throughout the month for this wonderful family of 4. This day has found me in 4 different cities doing a variety of things but we each find a way to fast and pray for this couple and their wonderful kids. When we first approached Carter with the idea, he said, "I will fast for more than a day if it helps the boys be healthy."

Years ago Carter was in John and Shawna's wedding. I had the honor of helping to marry this couple and watching my son in his little tux look up at John and Shawna that day and I realized he was learning something about love, purity and what it means to follow hard after God. Of course he has always looked up to them, especially John because he's a drummer and what little boy doesn't want to be a drummer!?

A couple years back I had the privledge of being a part of John's ordination into ministry. I went back and found my notes for what I said to him that night, buried in my moleskine I carry with me everywhere. I shared 3 verses that night but its what I closed with that comes back to me now.

At the very end of my message to both John and our friend Tyler I asked them to pour their lives into my son Carter. If my impact on them had meant anything, if they could, would they pass who they were as men of God into the life of my little boy.

And then I closed with this passage from Psalm 17:5.

"My steps have held to your paths; my feet have not slipped."

These words are true of you. May they always be so.

My friends, your journey is long and it is just beginning. Please know we are walking with you and we love you. Thank you for what you have taught me. Thank you for what you have modeled for the church. ...for the Glory of God...

To find out more about John and Shawna and to join their journey check out: "...for the Glory of God..." on Facebook.

Unity Part Two

Currently listening to She (for Liz) by Parachute

Not much to say, just a Word for the day. I'm still trying to wrap my head around the fact that our unity can contribute to the validity of what Jesus did. Does that mean when we act in disunity we bring that truth into question? Convicted today by what this means not just for the church but for my own family.

Happy Labor Day.

Peace and Unity

Currently Listening to 5:19 by Matt Wertz

You heard it here first, we are studying the book of Ephesians next summer at Know Sweat.

As I begin to dig into what the theme will be, what it will look like, what passages we will cover and what words or images we want to bring to life at the week, I've been struck by two words that sound soft but are actually just the opposite: Peace and Unity

There are a lot of things "we" are good at.

There are also a lot of things "we" could use some work on.

I wonder what it would look like if we lived life as the church known for our unity and peace. It seems to me and my naive perspective that a lot of the other "stuff" would work itself out if we focused on these two.

Think about the last conflict you had. If things had been seasoned with a spirit of unity and peace, could it have turned out different? better?

Tracing

Currently Listening to: Tracing by John Mayer

It's my favorite John Mayer song. It's my least favorite thing to do when coloring. Tracing.

Everybody in my family colors differently. We might all start with the same supplies and even the same picture but when we are done, they all reflect our personality and skill. Or in my case, lack there of.

I've thought about how this applies to us as believers a number of times and if you'll indulge me, I have a thought.

What if we are all different because we're supposed to use who we are to color our picture they way God made us? Now stick with me, I'm not saying faith is open to interpretation and we should all go off in the wilderness and hug trees.

The way I see it, the picture is exactly the same. It is constant. It doesn't change. The way it turns out can be different.

It's God's picture and He has entrusted us to bring flavor and color to it. It was not meant to sit there plain. Call me a heretic but I think the method changes. Call me a heretic but I think the message can change too. I'm not saying scripture has changed its meaning, I'm saying how we bring it to light can change a persons perspective. Why else could you hear 4 sermons on the same passage from 4 different people that all emphasize something different and all of them are truth and all of them teach you something different?

Let's say the picture is God, faith, hope. The way we color it is how we, as the church, bring it to life.

Maybe I'm stretching things a bit but I have a questionthat deserves an answer:

How are you bringing God's picture to life?

**Artwork used by permission from Brynn Gilchrist

Lead or Confront

Currently Listening to: Fences by Phoenix

I grew up hating confrontation. I inherited this from my upbringing. It turned my stomach and I found any way possible, even living with decisions I hated to avoid it.

Then something happened.

These days I don't get out of bed praying it gets to occur but I've come to realize that when done right (still learning this part), its way easier than the frustration I lived with by avoiding it and it makes life much, much better.

I have also discovered that meeting a problem early on is easier than waiting until it becomes an enormous issue. I know, right? Who thought?!

I was sitting in a meeting a while back when the reality struck me that as leaders of people, we have a choice between leadership and confrontation. What I realized is that by leading well, people know what to expect and we are able to guide and interact with them in such a way that confrontation is rarely necessary. If we choose to be lax on our leadership up front, we are defaulting to the reality of confrontation. Whether its over missed expectations, wrong results or miscommunication, if we don't lead, we'll have to confront.

Or you can choose the method I lived with for years of being stuck in frustration and doing nothing about it. I don't recommend that approach if you're asking.