I joined the twitter revolution a while ago, for those of you who are not in the know, twitter allows you to give short one-line updates throughout the day to friends and family. It allows people to always know what you're doing...at least when you twitter. Honestly, it's a neat thing in a lot of ways, but at the same time something doesn't sit well about it. I mean twitter is simply an updating service...much like the status updates on myspace or facebook but without the opportunity for further communication at any deeper level. I find myself checking my twitter feeds and being updated on people's lives, but not really communicating with them. Can this communication overload we have through twitter and facebook be sabotaging real communication? Just things I'm pondering as I struggle my way through my twittering experience. Simple Application: Don't let real human communication (face to face, or even on the phone-and not text messaging!) become obsolete!

Here in the next few days I will be receiving two copies of Mark Batterson's new book "Wild Goose Chase" in the mail. One will be for me to read and review, and the other for me to give away right here on the blog. I'm trying to think of a creative way to give it away...maybe to the person who leaves the most comments when I post my review. Be watching... Here is a look inside: Celtic Christians had a name for the Holy Spirit–An Geadh-Glas, or ‘the Wild Goose.’ The name hints at mystery. Much like a wild goose, the Spirit of God cannot be tracked or tamed. An element of danger, an air of unpredictability surround Him. And while the name may sound a little sacrilegious, I cannot think of a better description of what it’s like to follow the Spirit through life. I think the Celtic Christians were on to something… Most of us will have no idea where we are going most of the time. And I know that is unsettling. But circumstantial uncertainty also goes by another name: Adventure. —Introduction to Wild Goose Chase.

Philosophies about man's condition don't bring any comfort during the pain of man's condition. Without active love and compassion during difficult times, we fail to bring the character of God into relevancy in people's lives. If you can profoundly express the logic of man's sinfulness and need of a savior, and even the continued need for believers to grow, yet never exhibit the character of God to a person during times of need-your theories are dead! My favorite quote by Francis Schaeffer, ''Our calling is to exhibit God and His character, by His grace, in this generation.'' Simple Application: Are you enjoying nice theories of Christianity, or are you actively exhibiting the character of God? When you truly start living that way people will have to notice.

I think truly developing the thought that you can actually accomplish anything is somewhat of an oxy-moron. You can’t accomplish a thing in yourself, yet at the same time, you can. What an interesting parallel we find ourselves in. What do we do to stand in the middle of this predicament? If you lean too heavily to one side, you’ll sink in the self-glorifying abyss and miss it, but lean too heavily to other, and you’ll fall into the powerless depths of never being good enough. There has to be balance. There has to be a place in the middle-working and putting forth personal effort, while understanding that if the steps of the righteous are ordered by God then He will make sure we are exactly where he wants us to be. Where does success enter? Are we all of a sudden successful when we achieve the fruits of our labors? When people give us acclaim? When we have applause? When we take the next step into greater leadership? Or is it when we are faithfully walking, and trying our best to bear fruit where we are-and waiting on God to do the rest? I’ve been reading a lot about leadership, and I'm somewhat unimpressed with the lofty ideas of personal development. I’m tired of reading about the 12 steps to becoming a better leader, or the best ways to maximize your potential. It’s almost like they are giving future leaders manuals on how to manipulate people into doing what they want, rather than focusing on generating a personal God-given vision for a certain situation, or ministry position, first. Do we just assume that people are spending the time truly seeking, and listening to, God for what He wants to do in a given situation? I think it’s dangerous to assume, because if I know people-or myself-then the easiest thing we do is take a good idea for a situation and fast-track it as a God idea. We then run the risk of manipulating people to conform to our agenda, rather than motivate them with a God inspired vision. I’m all for gaining leadership principles-but not at the expense of shortcutting a true vision. I think personal development, or leadership development, apart from a consistent humility before God that truly says, “God, unless you do this thing it won’t happen,” is fundamentally flawed. You cannot seek to be a Christian leader and put the development of carrying out a vision before the actual vision-getting process. I’m not saying that we should bury our heads in a false humility, denying the things we’re good at, or giving up completely by dismissing those things we need to work on to improve ourselves, but what I am saying is that if there is more effort spent on working to improve yourself with natural means than by developing true dependence on God’s power and provision, then you will never be the leader God has designed you to be because you are not following closely enough the lead of the One who is giving the vision. Praise God for men who have found positive and efficient ways to carry out a God-given vision! Thankfully, they can pass their wisdom on to us! Unfortunately, they can't pass their vision on to us. It is our job to search deeply into the heart of God for our people, our churches, our families, and our lives! Simple Application: Before you ever expect to motivate others to accomplish something, make sure that you pass the test of Divine origins. A God-birthed dream will captivate you and truly motivate you, long before it will captivate and motivate anyone else.

I remember having to write about this statement in college, and either agree or disagree with it: Every man is an island. I'm sure back then I was probably young and stupid enough to think that I could take on the world alone and survive, but over the last few years I've realized just how important it is to surround yourself with people who can encourage, strengthen, and motivate you. I am so thankful for my wife. Eventhough I have dragged her into a life of ministry (with all the joys and pains that brings) she's adapted well and is continuing to grow into that "new" role as pastor's wife. I was thinking the other day about my first ministry position out of college: I was young, single, and clueless. I wonder how much different things would have been if she was there with me. I believe that she is just now starting to realize the incredible opportunities that are waiting for her. I'm thankful for friends who periodically call or send an email; it's good to be reminded by friends, some of whom have been separated by a long distance for some time, that the impact I had on their lives still holds value-and vice versa. I'm thankful for new friends who can challenge and sharpen my life. I'm thankful for podcasts and blogs of leaders I respect-what a great tool for ensuring that someone is always pouring in and mentoring-even from hundreds of miles away. I'm thankful for the incredible resource of books by amazing theologians, philosophers, church leaders, and pastors. I'm thankful for family who can provide a sounding board and good advice. Here is a good piece of advice: If you aren't intentionally surrounding yourself with people who can help bring out the best in you, then you will, by default, be surrounded by people who will probably not take time to actively pour into your life. Simple Application: Find a mentor or find a detractor, the choice is yours.

Have you ever known anyone who was so radical about Jesus, and sharing His message, that it seemed like they took the "machine gun" approach to evangelism? It's almost like any person that happens to be standing around will be assaulted with the truth claims of Jesus, ready or not! Maybe you've driven downtown and seen the people holding signs outside of certain establishments condemning everyone to hell. I think it is vital to share the message of hope and forgiveness we have through Jesus, but I think there's so much more to it than a simple mass assault. Leading a person into saving knowledge of Jesus Christ is not a game. It's not something that we can justify away by saying, "at least I shared Christ." If all you are doing is dropping "Gospel bombs" on people and waiting until the dust clears to see who has been impacted, then I can assure you that you are not being as effective as you could be. Could it be that God is more interested in you listening to His leading to influence specific people at specific times, rather than simply being an evangelism superstar for a few hours on a Saturday night? I believe that God is in the business of supernaturally drawing people to himself and he employs us to accomplish a great deal of the work. Are we listening? When God says go, do we know to where He's sending us? When God says hold off and wait, are we listening, so that we won't do damage? Is God burdening us with specific people to share His love with? I believe that if you can't share the Gospel with those people who you are constantly around, then you have no business doing the work of evangelism, because it starts with those closest to us, those that we have the most influence over. Acts 16:6vv, "Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to...During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." Simple Application: Let the Holy Spirit lead you to those that He wants you to be a witness. I promise you'll be more effective!

I believe in fighting double standards. I believe in not being labeled something that I'm not. I believe that some things are right and some things are wrong, and I can't compromise. I believe that there are standards that qualify people for certain things. I think decision are best made by rational people. Frustrations don't always have to be the result of emotional issues. I believe that selfish people are blind. I think they are impossible. I think I'm tired of losing. I think there are forces that want to destroy life, some don't see the truth. Some people blame, others work towards resolutions. I believe quarrels will harden hearts over time. I believe there is no purpose in continuing in futility. I believe this day would be a great time for freedom.